Mass Transit: Network Implementation for 1.25 Million People

Engagement has concluded

We want to hear from you about transit in your community!

Edmonton needs a robust transit network that connects to all areas of the city, providing Edmontonians with access to safe, convenient and reliable service. The foundation of any transit network is mass transit.

Engagement for Round 2 of this project has concluded. A What We Heard Report will be posted when available. 

In Round 2 of the Mass Transit: Network Implementation for 1.25 Million People project, we want your feedback on the planning and technical work that your Round 1 feedback informed. This includes your thoughts on the principles of mass transit for Edmonton as well as street design options that will allow for non-LRT mass transit on key roads in the city of Edmonton.

How to get involved?

The City is looking for your feedback on Non-LRT Mass Transit approaches and technologies for the future (10-15 years). Get involved from October 3 - 28, 2022. 

  • Learn More: Use the tab below to learn more about the Mass Transit project
  • Ask a Question: Ask a question to the project team
  • Survey: Share your input on options for adding non-LRT mass transit to corridors around Edmonton
  • Mass Transit Principles: Share ideas about the non-LRT mass transit principles
  • Online Working Sessions: Join us October 19, 20, 25 or 26 to learn more about the project and help the project team design what certain mass transit corridors could look like for major roads in Edmonton. There will be four working sessions, each focusing on a different commuter corridor that has been identified for mass transit. Please RSVP to join the conversation.

Online Working Session Registration

Each working session will dive into the details of a particular corridor. Please select the corridor (or date) you would like to join and a calendar invite will be sent to you, including Zoom link. If you are unable to attend one of the workshops, we have recorded the presentation shared at the workshop, which you can view below.

Gateway and Calgary Trail register button
87 Ave register button
87 Avenue (near West Edmonton Mall)
Date: October 20 (6-8pm)
97 Street South of Yellowhead Trail register button
97 Street North of Yellowhead Trail register button


We want to hear from you about transit in your community!

Edmonton needs a robust transit network that connects to all areas of the city, providing Edmontonians with access to safe, convenient and reliable service. The foundation of any transit network is mass transit.

Engagement for Round 2 of this project has concluded. A What We Heard Report will be posted when available. 

In Round 2 of the Mass Transit: Network Implementation for 1.25 Million People project, we want your feedback on the planning and technical work that your Round 1 feedback informed. This includes your thoughts on the principles of mass transit for Edmonton as well as street design options that will allow for non-LRT mass transit on key roads in the city of Edmonton.

How to get involved?

The City is looking for your feedback on Non-LRT Mass Transit approaches and technologies for the future (10-15 years). Get involved from October 3 - 28, 2022. 

  • Learn More: Use the tab below to learn more about the Mass Transit project
  • Ask a Question: Ask a question to the project team
  • Survey: Share your input on options for adding non-LRT mass transit to corridors around Edmonton
  • Mass Transit Principles: Share ideas about the non-LRT mass transit principles
  • Online Working Sessions: Join us October 19, 20, 25 or 26 to learn more about the project and help the project team design what certain mass transit corridors could look like for major roads in Edmonton. There will be four working sessions, each focusing on a different commuter corridor that has been identified for mass transit. Please RSVP to join the conversation.

Online Working Session Registration

Each working session will dive into the details of a particular corridor. Please select the corridor (or date) you would like to join and a calendar invite will be sent to you, including Zoom link. If you are unable to attend one of the workshops, we have recorded the presentation shared at the workshop, which you can view below.

Gateway and Calgary Trail register button
87 Ave register button
87 Avenue (near West Edmonton Mall)
Date: October 20 (6-8pm)
97 Street South of Yellowhead Trail register button
97 Street North of Yellowhead Trail register button


Engagement has concluded

Have a question about the Mass Transit project? Use the tool below to ask questions to the project team. All questions will be reviewed and a response will be posted within 3-5 business days.

  • Why is there not a third track added in three or four locations on legacy LRT to facilitate greater volume of cars travelling between stations. Some trains could then run between high volume locations at peak times rather than all trains running endpoint to endpoint.

    Nate asked almost 2 years ago

    While LRT configuration is outside the scope of this project, below are some factors provided by the LRT construction team for why adding a third track to existing lines is not being considered:

    • Most of the existing LRT alignments do not have enough space for an additional track to be installed. 
    • Edmonton’s LRT system is designed to balance the delivery of reliable, efficient transit with convenient community access (LRT stop frequency).  
    • A bypass track can be effective for high ridership systems where express lines are added to supplement regular service. Edmonton’s LRT system is currently not designed to operate express lines.
  • (1) How does ETS plan to combat peak overcrowding on certain routes? Routes 1, 4, 500X, 56, 507, and 55 all have numerous complaints about frequently crowded trips during peak hours. Larger buses could help, (2) has ETS considered adding Enviro 500 double-deckers to their fleet?

    bet asked about 2 years ago

    This project, Implementing Mass Transit for 1.25 Million People, is a planning project with a longer-term horizon (10-15 years). The design of the mass transit system will take ridership projections into account. Specific route programming based on this new system and projected ridership will happen at a later stage. 

    With that said, typically overcrowding is addressed by increasing the frequency of service, using articulated “bendy” buses or both.  We appreciate your suggestion to use double decker buses.  While they may be considered in the future, the current ETS garages are unable to accommodate double decker buses.

    As for overloads, ETS works hard to match the service provided to ridership demand.  COVID dramatically changed how people travel, which makes it challenging to estimate demand and travel times.  We have added trips to several routes this fall (including 12 trips on Route 500X) and continue to adjust service in response to ridership. 

     You can visit the  bus network redesign page to provide feedback on the current routes, which were launched in April 2021.

  • How is this going to help the CURRENT transit system, i.e., roads for mobility challenged individuals, increased security on LRT and all transit stations, improving bus routes including transferring?

    Wendeebee asked about 2 years ago

    This project, Implementing Mass Transit for 1.25 Million People, is a planning project with a longer-term horizon (10-15 years). Through this project, there is an opportunity to reconsider the design of some of our transit streets, particularly those that are expected to include a significant infrastructure investment (i.e., dedicated transit lanes).

    The streets considered are limited to those that are a part of this project, including:

    • Whyte Avenue, (between 109 Street and Bonnie Doon)
    • 87 Avenue (near West Edmonton Mall)
    • 97 Street (South of Yellowhead Trail)
    • 97 Street (North of Yellowhead trail)
    • Calgary Trail and Gateway Boulevard south of Whyte Avenue


    How these future mass transit bus routes integrate with the LRT network and the local bus service network as well as evaluating how to make these roads more accessible will be a key element of this work.

    You can visit the bus network redesign page to provide feedback on the current bus routes and transfers, which launched in April of 2021. The City also recently release a Downtown Core and Transit System Safety Plan to help address the security and safety concerns raised by Edmontonians.

  • Why would you spend 170 M on bike paths, that is ludicrous, put that to a plebiscite I’m sure you will get the same response from the majority. Put that money to better use

    Jon asked about 2 years ago

    As the City continues to grow to 2 million people, it is simply not financially or environmentally sustainable to continue to invest in infrastructure exclusively for cars. The City Plan requires diversified investment so we can establish a mobility network that reflects the diverse needs of the many Edmonton residents, provides a range of options for how people move around, and achieves emission reduction goals. Many people in our city do not own cars – whether by choice or by circumstance –  and move around our city by walking, rolling, biking or transit.

    In response to a motion from Urban Planning Committee in February 2022, Administration brought a report forward on September  27, 2022 (item 7.1) outlining options for more rapidly implementing the bike network in the redeveloping area by 2026. Committee accepted the report which outlines, at a high level, the anticipated costs (specifically, the $170M) and directed Administration to bring forward an unfunded capital profile and related unfunded service package to the 2023-2026 budget deliberations advancing Option A - Complete District Connector Network By 2026 and Option C - Completion of the Near Term Priorities and Areas with High Bike Trip Potential by 2026 as outlined in the report. The funding has not yet been approved by Council and will be part of the 2022 budget deliberations later this year. 

  • What day is the working session on Whyte Avenue?

    you're kidding asked about 2 years ago

    Engagement related to mass transit on Whyte Avenue will be done in conjunction with engagement events for the Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy. The purpose of combining the engagement for these two projects is to have a much broader conversation about all of the Whyte Avenue street elements, particularly those that make up the public realm (e.g., sidewalks, street furniture and other amenities), which is so important in supporting Whyte Avenue as a main street and entertainment district. 

    Engagement activities for the Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy are currently being planned and will occur in the winter. Once finalized, details will be posted to the Mass Transit and Old Strathcona Public Realm Strategy project pages.

  • Will there ever be an express bus to leger transit center and back to west edmonton mall or a bus to leger and back to lewis farms?

    Oko asked about 2 years ago

    The mass transit network for 1.25 Million doesn’t include a rapid route from Leger to either West Edmonton Mall or Lewis Farms. The project demand for a route between Leger and Lewis Farms is not anticipated to warrant a mass transit connection; however, a mass transit connection between Leger and West Edmonton Mall is being considered. 

  • It’s hard to imagine that 30 years ago when electric busses were all taken off the road and all the power lines taken down that the city would be in a position that it would be able to use that system again. While the EV market claims to be the be all end all of everything it is hardly the answer for reliability and cost effectiveness. So the question is why is the city not going back to the trolley style system that is much more cost effective than chargeable busses and diesel? As well as having a much longer lifecycle, cleaner and if the worry of power outages are a concern install a small battery pack to be able to get the busses parked off the roads. We had cleaner air in the days of the overhead lines running the busses. You have the LRT on overhead lines and is clean. Just a thought, doubt anyone really cares about the air in reality as many jurisdictions do the same thing. There are many circular routes throughout edmonton that could be run by overhead power, these type of units are much cheaper than EV battery powered units so not only do you save on purchase, maintenance, reliability etc, you win in lifecycle extension.

    Porkchop1121 asked about 2 years ago

    Edmonton phased out trolley buses between 2008 and 2010 for a number of reasons: including the cost of maintaining overhead lines (which ran over very busy roads) and challenges around changing or expanding trolley routes as the city grew (including addressessing construction detours).  Electric buses offer reduced noise and emissions and greater flexibility in where it can travel without running exposed, high-voltage wires over busy roadways. 

    Once the City identifies how to best fit mass transit onto Edmonton’s roads, we will then examine the vehicle options for these routes. Options to be considered include traditional buses, hydrogen buses, trolleys and the new “Dual Mode.” buses that can switch between trolley and battery power.

  • Will bicycle parking on Whyte Ave be improved if parking is removed and wider sidewalks are implemented? Currently the bicycle parking options are extremely limited, even though many bike corridors intersect with Whyte Avenue.

    Hanna asked about 2 years ago

    It definitely could be a consideration. Many cities, including Edmonton, are moving away from dedicating curbside space solely for vehicle parking. Rather, we are starting to consider the curbside as flex space that can be used for many uses including patio space, bike parking, parklets, transit stops and shelters, vehicle-for-hire pick up / drop off, goods deliveries and pick-ups, and vehicle parking with accessible parking being prioritized.

    Feedback about what uses we should prioritize for our mass transit corridors is really valuable for the project team. I strongly encourage you to further share your feedback through the online survey and, if possible, to participate in one of the virtual workshops. 

  • What exactly does the term mass transit mean? You do not clearly explain this when asking questions on its implementation...so survey answers are done with only partial information. Thank you.

    Victoria Anger asked about 2 years ago

    Mass Transit refers to a range of types of transit service that moves a lot of people and has a significant infrastructure investment to make it faster, more reliable and more efficient. We are focusing on options that use buses in dedicated lanes and with priority at intersections to get speed and reliability similar to LRT.  You can learn more about the mass transit project by clicking the “Learn More” tab on the Engaged Edmonton project page.

  • THESE TRANSIT LANES SHOULD INCLUDE CARS WITH MORE THAN ONE PERSON LIKE THEY DO IN ONTARIO Thank you for letting me know if you are considering this option

    cz asked about 2 years ago

    Shared transit & carpool lanes are one of the options we are considering. The cross sections are only meant to illustrate key points, so we had to limit the number of options we showed and had to simplify a lot of the details.