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On Demand Transit

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On Demand Transit will complement regular bus service so more Edmontonians can get to where they need to go conveniently and safely.

On Demand Transit Update
To ensure all Edmontonians can connect to the City’s new bus network next year, Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) has selected Pacific Western Transportation (PWT) and Via to launch Canada’s largest On Demand Transit service. A total of 57 shuttle buses will conveniently and safely connect residents in select neighbourhoods to and from a nearby transit hub. These accessible shuttles do not follow fixed routes and only operate upon request. The On Demand Transit service, which will add a new layer to ETS’ integrated transit network, is set to launch on April 25, 2021 and will be part of a two-year pilot project.

On April 25, 2021 Edmonton Transit Service’s (ETS) new On Demand Transit service will add a new layer of service in our integrated transit network. It will complement the regular bus network and LRT service. This service will be provided as part of a two-year pilot project. ETS is developing a contract for service delivery and will provide more information as it becomes available.

How On Demand Transit Will Work

Customers will be able to book a ride on an accessible vehicle by using an app on a smart device, telephone or website using Via’s advanced trip planning software. A small bus with a professionally-trained Pacific Western Transportation (PWT) driver will carry customers to and from set pick-up points in their neighbourhood and the designated transit hub. This shared ride service will provide quick and efficient trips by using Via’s advanced trip planning software to match multiple customers headed in the same direction. 

For the two-year pilot period, customers won’t pay when they board an On Demand Transit vehicle. Instead, standard fare payment will take place when the customer transfers between On Demand Transit and regular service at an ETS Transit Centre or LRT Station.

More information about the vehicles, how to book a ride and other details will be available when details are finalized.

On Demand Transit for Selected Communities

Flexible, On Demand Transit will be provided by small buses during peak and off-peak hours in some established and newer communities where the design of neighbourhood roads, ease of access in and out of the community, and current levels of transit use make it a challenge to provide regular bus service. It also allows ETS to introduce a public transit option to newer communities until the neighbourhood is adequately built out to support regular bus service.

Established Communities

Communities in this group currently have regularly scheduled bus service.

  • Aspen Gardens
  • Avonmore
  • Breckenridge Greens
  • Brookside
  • Cameron Heights
  • Cloverdale
  • Falconer Heights
  • Gainer Industrial
  • Girard Industrial
  • Grandview Heights
  • Henderson Estates
  • Kenilworth
  • King Edward Park
  • Lansdowne
  • Montrose
  • Northwest Industrial
  • Potter Greens
  • Rio Terrace
  • Southeast Industrial
  • Wedgewood Heights
  • Westridge
Newer Communities

Communities in this group are newer neighbourhoods that do not have regularly scheduled bus service.

  • Cavanagh
  • Edgemont
  • Graydon Hill
  • Hawks Ridge
  • Hays Ridge
  • Keswick
  • Starling
  • Trumpeter

On Demand Transit for Seniors' Residences

ETS will also provide On Demand Transit service to 16 large seniors’ residences that won’t be served directly by local or community routes. Drop-off locations will be a nearby transit centre or shopping mall. More information will be provided when it is available.

 

 

Residences served by the current Route 305
Route 305 (Jasper Gates - Westmount)
  • Canora Gardens Apartments
  • McQueen Gardens Apartments
  • Ortona Villa
  • St. Joachim Manor
  • Summit Village Housing
  • Tegler Terrace
Residences served by the current Route 307
Route 307 (Bonnie Doon - Capilano - Kenilworth)
  • Gateway Manor
  • Grace Garden Court
  • Ottewell Place
  • Ottewell Terrace
Residences served by the current Route 309
Route 309 (Oliver - Downtown - Riverdale - Kingsway/RAH)
  • Ansgar Villa
  • Kiwanis Place Senior Citizen Lodging Apartments
  • Rosedale Estates
  • Rosedale in the Park
  • Rosedale Villa
  • Tegler Manor

Frequently Asked Questions

How is transit funded?

Public transit benefits both the community and individuals, so up to 60% of ETS’ operating costs are covered through municipal taxes and the remainder through fares. In order for ETS to provide the best value to all taxpayers, it regularly evaluates the performance of its routes to match the service to the demand. In some neighbourhoods, On Demand Transit is expected to be a better fit.

Will my established neighbourhood continue to have access to public transit?

There are 22 established communities that will have access to On Demand Transit because it is a better fit than regular transit in the new bus network.

I live in a newer community. Will I get access to public transit?

Yes. There are eight newer communities that will have access to On Demand Transit in 2021. Other newer communities must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the service in the future:

  • Must be further than 600 metres from existing transit service
  • Road network design may not be able to support a 40’ bus
  • There must be a minimum of 200 occupied dwellings.
How does ETS decide where to add, change or reduce service?

The Transit Service Standards set guidelines for when ETS considers making changes to service. The changes are prioritized based on several factors including available resources. ETS is developing service standards for On Demand Transit based on the direction provided by City Council on March 11, 2020.

How did you decide which communities would receive On Demand Transit?

If more than 20 per cent of their population must walk more than 600 metres to the nearest transit stop and there are more than 20 existing customers beyond the 600-metre walk to regular service, ETS reviewed the neighbourhood for On Demand Transit.

In newer communities, ETS considers several factors. They include being more than 600 metres from existing transit service, their road network design may not be able to support a 40’ bus, and they must have at least 200 occupied dwellings.

Are industrial neighbourhoods eligible for On Demand Transit?

The Gainer, Girard Northeast and Southeast Industrial neighbourhoods will receive On Demand Transit starting in mid-2021. ETS will review other industrial neighbourhoods for eligibility in the future.

Who will deliver the service?

Pacific Western Transportation, in partnership with Via Transportation, is contracted to provide a two-year On Demand Transit pilot project to Edmontonians. 

Will the vehicle be accessible?

ETS is committed to using accessible vehicles with space for at least one (1) wheelchair so that individuals with mobility challenges can use the service. It will also have space for families who are using strollers. Customers should identify their need for an accessible vehicle when booking a trip.

Why is ETS delivering the service as a two-year pilot through a third-party service provider?

On Demand Transit is new to Edmonton, so ETS wants to provide enough time for transit users to use the service and evaluate what works well before making a significant investment in equipment and hiring more staff. During the two-year pilot project, ETS will evaluate how the service is performing including delivering it through a contracted service and report back to City Council on the findings.

Related Links

Public Engagement Reports

Related Documents

First km/Last km Transit Challenge

For More Information

Bus Network Redesign Project

Online Contact 311 Online
Telephone

In Edmonton: 311
Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
TTY 780-944-5555

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