Grande Prairie residents can expect to see extended transit hours in the city starting in June after Grande Prairie city council approval expanded services during its March 20th meeting. With council’s approval, there will be three buses and one accessible bus providing on-demand service until 11 p.m. Monday to Saturday and three buses providing service until 8 p.m. on Sundays.
The current on-demand service model runs until 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday and until 5 p.m. on Sundays. The extended hours, which are estimated to cost $157,000, will be funded through the existing 2023 transit budget and will be reviewed during the 2024 budget discussions.
Mayor Jackie Clayton says council looks to continue to improve transit services for residents.
“Transit is a valuable service provided by the City that helps improve residents’ quality of life by creating an affordable, accessible, and reliable transportation option and council is pleased with the recommendations made by administration.”
Earlier this month, a proposal was presented to committee with a recent survey of on-demand users, with 78 per cent of those surveyed looking to see extended hours. Over the last three years, Grande Prairie Transit has been piloting on-demand transit service in several neighbourhoods including Riverstone and Countryside South.