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Bus Network Redesign

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Edmonton’s bus routes will be changing. The new network focuses on connecting people to places and to each other.

The Bus Network Redesign is the first major action coming out of the Transit Strategy. The proposed new bus network, built with input from thousands of Edmontonians, reflects residents' priorities by delivering a bus service that meets the needs of more people.

View the final draft of the proposed bus network.

What’s New

The Bus Network Redesign is the first major action coming out of the Transit Strategy. The proposed new bus network, built with input from thousands of Edmontonians, reflects residents' priorities by delivering a bus service that meets the needs of more people.

In spring 2018, you told us what you liked and what you would change in the draft bus network plan. Your feedback is captured in two reports. Based on your feedback, we made changes to the proposed bus network and brought the final draft to you for feedback in fall 2018. Our team is currently reviewing your feedback and preparing the final network that will be presented to City Council. Your feedback will be included in a report that will help City Council in making a decision about the final network in November 2019. A report about your feedback will be posted here in early spring 2019.

Planning the New Bus Network

Phase 1 (complete)

Spring/Summer 2018

Develop the Bus Network

In phase 1, our transit planners created the draft bus network based on the principles in the Transit Strategy.

We gathered feedback from many Edmontonians in April through June to make sure the new network would bring you to the places you want to go. Our transit planners used  this feedback to further refine the bus network.

Phase 2

Summer/Fall 2018

Refine the Bus Network

In summer 2018, our transit planning team refined the draft bus network that was presented in spring 2018. The team altered the bus routes so that the majority of people will be within five to seven minute walk to a transit stop and some routes were re-adjusted to connect to important community destinations.

The revised summer 2018 maps now include the small community routes. We are continuing our work with our school board partners to refine the school specials to make sure they complement the proposed network.

Phase 3

2019

Prepare the Bus Network

In 2019, we will begin preparations to launch the new bus network. Work will include developing educational materials, creating new bus maps and making new bus stop signs among other things.

Phase 4

2020

Roll Out the Bus Network

We anticipate that the new bus network will be implemented in mid-2020. We will have educational materials and street teams available to help people navigate and understand the new bus system.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some of the most common questions the City has received about the proposed new bus routes and the bus network redesign project.

Are the new bus routes final?

Unless there was a significant oversight when the second draft was prepared, it is not expected to change much before being presented to City Council.

An oversight would include missing a connection to a major destination, such as a shopping centre, school or popular public gathering space. Ultimately, City Council will make the final decision about moving forward with this final design.

If these maps are mostly final, why are you asking for my feedback?

The transit planning team is reviewing the feedback that we gathered in fall 2018. We will share your input with City Council, which will assist them in making decisions about the final network.

When will the proposed bus routes change?

The new bus network is scheduled to roll out in July 2020. Once public engagement is finished, the proposed network will be finalized and presented to City Council for consideration in early 2019. Then we will start getting the bus schedules and public information ready for the launch.

I currently have direct bus service to work, school or shopping. Why do I need to transfer with the proposed new routes?

The proposed new bus network is designed to move residents across the city more efficiently, but some people may need to transfer. Buses will come more often or travel more directly to destinations, depending on where you live in the city. The current network requires fewer transfers because there are many overlapping routes. However, these routes often travel along curvy streets, which makes service slow and confusing for new riders. 

How will the proposed new bus system be different from the current one?

Almost every bus route is brand new, and we are developing different route types. Most routes will be straighter with less overlap. Residents in inner area neighbourhoods can expect to see an increase in service throughout the day, while those in outer area neighbourhoods will see an increase in service during peak times for commuters.

The proposed new system increases how often buses come. In order to offer more frequent routes, some residents may need to walk a little bit further to get to the closest bus stop. In these instances, the walking time would increase by a couple of minutes in most cases. The majority of addresses, however, will be within 5-7 minute walk to the nearest transit stop. We continue to explore options for citizens with mobility challenges so they can access transit.

Will I get or lose service in my neighbourhood?

This bus network project is focused on improving the efficiency in current service areas, within the existing budget. Therefore, communities that do not have transit service today will not receive service as part of the proposed network changes.

The proposed network also recommends removing regular service from a few communities due to a number of factors, including the low number of transit users. We are exploring alternative transit options as part of the First Kilometre/Last Kilometre study, which is being presented to Council in January 2019. 

Walking up to 10 minutes to get to my bus stop is too far. What are my options?

Given limited resources, we have moved service from communities with a low number of transit users per hour to communities with a higher number of transit users.

For communities losing service, a report about first kilometre/last kilometre options will be presented to City Council’s Urban Planning Committee in January 2019.

How come walking distances weren’t reduced?

Using special mapping software, we were able to track actual walking distance using public walkways and found most addresses are still within 5-7 minutes walking distance (400-600 m). However, in order to stay true to the Transit Strategy principles of offering a more efficient transit service, walking distances may need to be increased in some communities.

How did you decide which routes you would change or cancel?

Decisions to change or cancel routes were based on transit principles, public feedback and historical data about transit use in a community. Because ETS is limited by its existing budget, we were faced with tough decisions when we developed the new network. In order to deliver more value for the money invested in transit operations, buses serving communities with low transit use were reassigned to other areas of the city where demand is higher.

After reviewing the draft maps, most of the city will have fairly good coverage while only a few neighbourhoods are losing service entirely. We are working on a first kilometre/last kilometre solution for communities with reduced service or that are losing service, so they can continue to access ETS.

Background

In 2015, we started talking to Edmontonians about what they wanted in a transit system. A new approach was needed, based on a community conversation about the role of transit in our city. These conversations resulted in the development of the Transit Strategy.

We heard from more than 20,000 Edmontonians. We spoke with all sorts of people - motorists and transit riders, young children and seniors, suburbanites and urban dwellers, indigenous Edmontonians, people with disabilities, and many others.

What we heard from Edmontonians directly informed the development of the Transit Strategy and now the Bus Network Redesign. The elements of the Strategy - Values, Pillars, Guiding Principles, and Actions - guide how we deliver transit service and how we invest in transit over the next 10 years.

Council Decisions

July 11, 2017
  • Approved beginning work for the Bus Network Redesign project
  • Approved the Transit Strategy that reflects the priorities of Edmontonians and will modernize Edmonton’s transit system over the coming years

Project Updates

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Related Documents

What We Did & Heard Highlights: Refining the Bus Network Plan

April - June 2018

Phase 1 Results: Public Findings

Phase 1 Results: Executive Summary of Public Findings

Transit Strategy

2017

Transit Strategy What We Did Report 2015-2016

Transit Strategy What We Heard Report 2015-2016

Related Links

Council Initiative on Public Engagement

Transit Strategy

The Way We Move

Find out how we're planning for future transportation needs.

For More Information

Bus Network Redesign Project

Telephone

In Edmonton: 311
Outside Edmonton: 780-442-5311
TTY 780-944-5555
Email 311@edmonton.ca

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