April 25, 2021
There are new ways for Edmontonians to access our city, starting today. Edmonton Transit Service’s (ETS) new bus routes and On Demand Transit went into service at 5 a.m. this morning, and the new Mill Woods Transit Centre opened its doors to customers.
“These projects support a strong and integrated transit network that is critical to building a great city where it’s safer, more convenient and greener to travel from one place to another,” said Mayor Don Iveson.
“We’re very excited to see a modernized transit system coming to a street near you,” said Carrie Hotton-MacDonald, ETS Branch Manager. “This is a major step towards providing the type of service Edmontonians told us they want today and to meeting evolving transit expectations as our city grows in the future.”
The latest evolution includes providing five new types of bus routes to meet customers’ different travel needs, complemented with the largest on demand service in Canada. Customers can conveniently book trips on 57 accessible shuttles to take them from 37 neighbourhoods and 16 seniors’ residences to nearby designated transit hubs. On Demand Transit service is provided in areas where it is a better fit than regular bus service. It has the advantage of providing service seven days a week and with the same or better frequency than scheduled service.
As part of its integrated approach to transit, the City opened the new Mill Woods Transit Centre today. The $17.4 million facility, which was completed on time and on budget, is designed to simplify how customers get to their bus and LRT connections so they have better access within Edmonton. The transit centre includes a covered walkway that connects customers to the nearby Mill Woods Stop on the Valley Line Southeast LRT, which is expected to open later this year.
An integrated transit network not only provides easy access to our city but supports lively neighbourhoods through transit oriented development. For example, Mill Woods Transit Centre was moved closer to the new LRT to support redevelopment plans for the Mill Woods Town Centre area. It will become a higher-density centre that includes mixed residential housing and commercial businesses within walking distance to transit.
Transit influences where Edmontonians live, work and play. With that in mind, we’re building the foundation for a strong transit system that will help create a vibrant city for people today and those we’ll welcome tomorrow.
