This release was issued under a previous government.

Albertans can have their say about funding criteria for new municipal transit initiatives and rural bus service, as well as a new provincial transit strategy.

“Investing in modern public transit benefits all Albertans. An improved transit system will encourage more commuters to choose transit, reducing congestion in our cities and helping us meet our climate change goals. Improved rural bus service will provide Albertans living in smaller communities with reliable access to essential services in larger centres, like health care facilities. It's time for us to create a new vision for transit in Alberta.”

Brian Mason, Minister of Transportation

“Contributing to a provincial transit strategy while listening to what citizens are telling us through the development of the City of Edmonton’s Transit Strategy will help us align priorities across the Edmonton Metropolitan Region. This approach supports our long-term vision and promotes the vitality of our city.”

Don Iveson, Mayor, City of Edmonton

“Rural Albertans and political leaders welcome this chance to take part in the discussions to improve access to bus services across all of our communities. The quality of life in rural Alberta is enhanced when residents have affordable, reliable access to health, education and other services available in larger centres.”

Tom Burton, District 4 (Northern) Director for the Alberta Association of Municipal Districts and Counties and Deputy Reeve of the Municipal District of Greenview 

“Bus services to small communities are essential for connecting residents to central or regional service hubs, including health care and other important services. A reliable and comprehensive busing network will also enable small businesses to thrive in these communities. We look forward to the consultations and appreciate the ministry’s earlier announced funding commitment.”

Maryann Chichak, Vice-President of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association and Mayor of the Town of Whitecourt

Engagement process

There will be two streams of engagement – urban and rural – and an online public survey, all of which will inform the development of an overall provincial transit strategy and criteria for future funding for municipal transit initiatives and rural bus service.

During spring 2016, the Minister of Transportation will hold discussions with elected officials, including:

  • Federal Ministers
  • Urban municipalities
  • Rural municipalities
  • Indigenous communities

Stakeholders can also offer written feedback through a consultation workbook, available online.

Alberta Transportation representatives will meet with non-elected officials from municipalities, Indigenous communities, private industry, labour groups, social advocacy groups and non-profit transit and bus operators.

Quick Facts

  • Of the 1.8 million Albertans who commute to work, 11 per cent took public transit (2011 Statistics Canada National Household Survey - NHS)
  • Albertans are taking transit more often, as ridership is steadily increasing (2006 NHS  and 2011 NHS):
    • provincial: 22.5 per cent
    • Edmonton: 26 per cent
    • Calgary: 10 per cent
  • The long-term trend of population aging has key implications for Alberta Transportation, including (Alberta Population Projection 2013-2041):
    • Increasing public transit use for those seniors who cannot drive; and
    • Increased percentage of seniors and children using public transit, from 41.6 per cent to 55 per cent by 2041.
  • Young people are tending to drive less in Alberta. In 2014, 67.2 per cent of Albertans age 18 to 24 held any class of Alberta drivers’ licence, down from 70.9 per cent in 2005.
  • The Government of Alberta’s transit and rural bus programs, and plan to develop a provincial transit strategy, support the province’s Climate Leadership Plan.