Transportation: Public Transit
Introduction
The city-run Edmonton Transit ("ETS") runs both a bus fleet and a light rail transit system (the "LRT"). ETS has been serving Edmontonians since 1908, originally with just four streetcars running on 21 km of track. Edmonton was the world's first sub-million population city with a LRT system, which was built before the 1978 Commonwealth Games.
Bus fares must be paid with exact change, or with tickets (bought in books of ten). You can buy LRT tickets at each platform from coin-operated ticket dispensers. Tickets must be validated before boarding the LRT, using the dispensing machines in the stations.
| Fares: | Adult | Seniors | Students |
One way: | $2.50 | $2.25 | $2.25 |
Day Pass: | $7.50 | $7.50 | $7.50 |
Monthly Passes: | $66.50
$60 Post-Sec | $11.50 | -- |
Ticket Books (of 10): | $21.00 | $18.50 | $18.50 |
Effective Feb 1, 2008 |
You can buy tickets, ticket books, and passes at the ETS Customer Service Outlets at Churchill LRT Station from Monday to Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM or at over 200 locations around town, including many convenience stores and banks.
If you are changing buses or transferring between buses and the LRT, you should ask for a transfer at the time your fare is paid. If you paid at a vending machine at an LRT station, The ticket/receipt is your transfer. Transfers are good for up to 90 minutes from the time of issue, for travel in one direction.
If you are visiting many places in one day with several stops along the way, get a Day Pass. If you're traveling pretty well every day, save and get a Monthly Pass. Transit passes allow the rider unlimited use of buses and the LRT for the month purchased.
St. Albert and Strathcona County (Sherwood Park) Transit Service
The City of St. Albert operates local bus service within St. Albert and commuter bus service to and from various locations in Edmonton, running daily. Strathcona County operates local bus service within Sherwood Park and regional bus service within Strathcona County and the City of Edmonton, operating daily.All ETS fare products including a valid transfer can be used with the payment of a $1.00 zone fee (surcharge) for travel from one community to another. BONUS: You can use your ETS Adult Monthly Pass, Adult ticket or DATS pass with no extra charge when travelling within St. Albert or Strathcona County. For route and schedule information please call St. Albert Transit Customer Services Office at 780-418-6060 or Strathcona Transit Customer Services Office at (780) 464-RIDE (7433) .
Splash & Ride for the Summer
Children under 15 years may ride transit and have unlimited admission to leisure centres all summer. This is a joint venture between Edmonton Parks & Rec and ETS.
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Hours of Service
Major bus routes leave the outlying areas starting at 5:30 am with the last buses leaving downtown at 12:20am.
Special Football Park'n'Ride buses are scheduled for Edmonton Eskimo home games, leaving from 5 locations around town:
| Location | Street | Time before game |
|---|
Heritage Mall | 111 Street & 23 Avenue | 90 min |
Kingsway Garden Mall | 106 Street & 112 Avenue | 90 min |
West Edmonton Mall | 90 Avenue & 175 Street | 90 min |
Calder City | 124 St & 124 Ave | 90 min |
Davies City Lot | 86 St & 61 Ave | 90 min |
Burns City Lot | 70 St & 121 Ave | 90 min |
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Customer Service & Information
There are several services to help you use Edmonton Transit. For schedules and route information, call 496-1611.
The information lines are open Monday through Friday from 06:30 A.M.
to 9:00 P.M. They are open Saturdays, Sundays and most holidays 08:00
A.M. to 5:30 P.M. A city transit representative will tell you the best route, and even mail you a map if requested.
Concerns, suggestions or commendations regarding Edmonton Transit may be expressed to 496-8900 from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm.
For passes, tickets, lost and found, souvenirs, a free schedule or map head down to the ETS Customer Service Outlets at Churchill LRT Station. They are open Monday to Friday from 8:30 am-5:00 pm.
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Security and Safety
Edmonton Transit has an extensive security network in place to provide speedy assistance when required. Intercoms and help phones are located in all C-train stations and cars with each train station under 24 hour video surveillance. Transit staff who visually monitor stations are in direct radio contact with security officers.
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Access for Persons with Limited Mobility
Edmonton Transit has a special Disabled Adult Transportation System ("DATS") which uses over 66 individuals and companies contracted to the City of Edmonton. There are three kinds of DATS service: sedans (ambulatory), vans (usually with wheelchair lifts), and a small fleet of city-owned vehicles.
DATS provides door-to-door shared-ride transit for persons with physical or mental disabilities. DATS trips must be pre-booked 1 to 2 days in advance, and are subject to vehicle availability. Regular trips to work or school can be pre-booked on a subscription basis.
DATS vehicles are available from 6:00 am to 12 midnight, 7 days a week. The DATS booking office is open from 7:30 am to 5:50 pm weekdays, and 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on weekends (closed on statutory holidays).
ETS has begun using low floor buses (also called "kneeling buses") accessible to those who are in wheelchairs and who have difficulty climbing stairs. These low floor buses are equipped with retractable ramps to allow wider use of regularly scheduled transit.
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LRT
Edmonton's light rail transit (LRT) system is an above and underground train that runs from Clareview in the northeast to the University of Alberta in the south. The route has ten stations including one at Commonwealth Stadium, Skyreach Centre, and several LRT stations in the downtown core connected to Edmonton's pedway system. Fares must be paid to ride the LRT and random checks for proof of payment (ticket, transfer, or transit pass) will be made, with a $110 fine for fare evasion.
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