From January to September 2024, Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) ridership has grown by 14 per cent in comparison with 2023, which the town mentioned continues one of many strongest post-pandemic ridership recoveries within the nation.
On Tuesday, the town mentioned ETS is on observe to report almost 60 million riders in 2024 — up from 53 million in 2023.
“It’s not stunning for those who’re any individual who takes public transit — for those who journey the bus, for those who journey the practice,” mentioned metropolis councillor Michael Janz. “Whether or not it’s the outrageous prices of car insurance coverage, value of fuel or simply comfort, an increasing number of persons are selecting public transit.”
The opening of the 13-kilometre Valley Line southeast from Mill Woods to downtown final fall contributed to the rise.
Within the first six months of the road being open, it noticed 85,000 extra month-to-month riders. General, the town mentioned almost two million journeys have been taken on that LRT line between when it opened in November 2023 and this previous August.
Town mentioned 120,000 service hours had been added to the transit community in 2023 and whereas such investments assist ease the strain on transit service, the hole between present service ranges and the transit service standards continues to broaden as the town’s inhabitants and neighbourhoods develop.
ETS launched its present bus community in April 2021 and the town mentioned year-over-year month-to-month ridership has elevated for 42 consecutive months.
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Final month, the town mentioned month-to-month ridership exceeded six million for the primary time, partly resulting from college students heading again to high school and different riders returning to fall routines.
“We’re seeing a restoration that’s, I believe, working actually, rather well — particularly on peak routes and that’s a credit score to our bus community redesign,” Janz mentioned.
General, ridership has exceeded pre-pandemic ranges by 12 per cent for the reason that starting of the yr, the town mentioned.
“We’ve been investing within the transit community and are proud to ship equitable, accessible and handy service that can proceed to satisfy the wants of riders,” mentioned Edmonton Transit Service department supervisor Carrie Hotton-MacDonald.
“We’re working to make it simpler for individuals to decide on transit, and are excited to see this optimistic response. We’re grateful for our riders and the expansion we’ve been experiencing.”
Town mentioned Edmonton is one among 5 cities in Canada with a high-frequency transit grid, that means it gives transit within the core no less than each quarter-hour most occasions of day, seven days per week.
ETS has 120 common bus routes, 50 college routes, three LRT traces (the Valley, Capital and Metro traces) an on-demand transit service and DATS.
Janz mentioned extra progress is required in areas the place individuals don’t take the bus or practice as a result of utilizing their very own car is faster and is much less trouble.
“If we make transit the handy alternative, which means extra service hours, extra funding: preserve constructing the trains, preserve constructing the buses, preserve including the bus speedy transit. If we do this, we’re going to proceed to see huge progress in transit.”
Town mentioned ETS regularly analyzes information to make sure the system is environment friendly and efficient. This consists of making service changes 5 occasions every year, based mostly on transit information, rider suggestions, seasonal adjustments and ridership progress.
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