June 14, 2019
Ridership has more than doubled on transit routes moving people to new jobs around the airport, thanks to growing demand from businesses in the area and continued collaboration to ensure the transit system meets the needs of passengers.
“By cooperating with our partners in the City of Leduc, Leduc County and at the airport, we’ve made this bus route the perfect commuter route–
right up to that last mile,” said City of Edmonton Mayor Don Iveson, speaking about Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) Route 747, a dedicated route that runs from Century Park Transit Centre to the Edmonton International Airport (EIA) main terminal. “It’s an important achievement. This is what intermunicipal collaboration looks like, and it’s paying economic and environmental dividends. More people are getting to work or their travel destination using this enhanced public transportation.”
The City of Edmonton, the City of Leduc, Leduc County and Edmonton International Airport (EIA) are partners in the Airport Accord, an agreement to fulfill the economic development potential of EIA and surrounding lands. A year ago, they announced changes to transit services including:
- Adding a new stop at Premium Outlet Collection EIA, where Leduc Transit Route 10 and ETS Route 747 connect.
- Halving the ETS Route 747 fare from $10 to $5.
- Offering free shuttles between the EIA main terminal, Premium Outlet Collection EIA, Century Mile Horse Racetrack and Casino, the STARS hangar, and other facilities.
The service changes worked. Ridership skyrocketed from 12,000 riders per month to more than 25,000.
“We are built for economic success,” said Leduc County Mayor Tanni Doblanko. “Our region offers good business incentives, access to a hard-working, well educated workforce, and direct connections to major transportation routes. The popularity of this integrated transit initiative demonstrates how successfully the Accord partners have collaborated to increase prosperity in the region.”
“Many of our residents work on the airport lands, and benefit from the development in this area,” said Mayor of the City of Leduc Bob Young. “Improving access through transit collaboration is good for our entire region.”
“EIA is a major economic driver, creating jobs and diversification in the Edmonton Metro Region,” said Tom Ruth, President and CEO of Edmonton International Airport. “Working with our partners to ensure we have an efficient and integrated transit system benefits us all, including passengers, employees, businesses and visitors to the area.”
Local businesses and transit riders have agreed to speak to media about their experiences using the integrated system.
