Rural Alberta gets a ride boost: $3.4 million investment to revamp public transit services – DiscoverAirdrie.com

Six rural communities across Alberta, including Banff, Cochrane, and Strathmore, will see over $3.4 million in improvements to local public transit services, thanks to a federal investment through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF).

The funding supports projects enhancing transit access and reliability, particularly in underserved areas. In Stoney Nakoda Nation territory, the funding will enable the purchase of new buses and shuttle vehicles, providing vital connections to nearby hubs such as Cochrane, Mînî Thnî, and the Bow Valley Corridor. This project will introduce new demand-responsive services and install crucial infrastructure, such as bus stops and signage.

“Expanding public transit options and services through vehicle purchases will help all residents navigate their communities and access essential services with more ease,” said George Chahal, Member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview, on behalf of the Honourable Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.

Bearspaw First Nation in Eden Valley is also benefiting from the funding, with the purchase of three vehicles to address the area’s transit service gaps and improve residents’ connections.

Other projects funded through the RTSF include:

• Lac La Biche County will receive an accessible electric bus and charger to enhance local rural transit services.
• Coaldale, Lethbridge County, and Lethbridge will expand their transit options with a new bus serving both fixed routes and on-demand services.
• The Municipal District of Smoky River No. 130 will receive a bus to improve regional services in communities like Donnelly, Falher, and Girouxville.
• Parkland County will benefit from two minibuses to support on-demand transportation services.

“These new buses and infrastructure will provide a more reliable, safe, and secure transit program for our people in the Mînî Thnî area,” said Stoney Nakoda Nation Chiefs, welcoming the funding to revitalize their SWIFT Transit system.

The RTSF is designed to support the expansion of locally driven transit solutions that help rural, remote, Indigenous, and Northern communities access services like healthcare, childcare, and employment. With a total federal investment of $3,447,412, this fund is part of Canada’s broader commitment to strengthen public transit in all communities, regardless of size or location.

The RTSF is part of a larger effort to improve public transit in Canada, complementing the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF), which provides an average of $3 billion annually to enhance local transit needs, improve planning, and support sustainable transportation. Through these investments, the federal government has committed over $30 billion for public transit and active transportation projects since 2015.

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