Fort Sask Transit

Fort Sask Transit (FST) is a public transit service in the city of Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. It operates two routes within the city, and a third route is contracted to the Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) to connect with its service network.

Fort Sask Transit
SloganWe're Routing For You
ParentCity of Fort Saskatchewan
Founded2014[1]
HeadquartersPublic Works Office, 11121 88 Avenue, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta, T8L 2S5
LocaleFort Saskatchewan[2]
Service areaFort Saskatchewan, Alberta
Service typePublic Transit
AllianceEdmonton Metropolitan Transit Services Commission
Routes3[2]
Hubs2[2]
Fleet3 buses[3]
OperatorPWTransit Canada[4]
Chief executiveAnthony Dionigi (Transit Supervisor)[5]
WebsiteOfficial site

History

Prior to the introduction of a local transit service, the Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) operated a commuter route between Fort Saskatchewan and Edmonton's Clareview Transit Centre.[6] The commuter route, numbered 198, was launched in 2004.[7][6] Mid-day service was cancelled in 2005 due to low demand, and this route was only operated during peak hours.[6] Fort Sask Transit (FST) was launched as a pilot program on April 26, 2014.[1] It consisted of two routes, which provided coverage to most of the city's residential and commercial areas.[8] Operation of the buses was contracted to local company Fort Taxi and Buslines.[9] The buses were free to ride for their first five days of operation; fares were introduced on May 1, 2014.[1]

The pilot program was deemed a success, and a full transit service was formally introduced in September 2016.[10] The city purchased three new buses, and the contract to operate these city-owned transit buses was given to PWTransit Canada.[8][11] Ridership has increased significantly since FST's full launch; FST reported that more than 7,300 trips were taken on its local routes in October 2018, which represented a 69% increase from the same time-frame in 2017.[5] Students, new residents, and people with limited mobility represented some of the demographics that saw increased usage.[5]

The U-Pass system, which allows students to pay a flat fee in their tuition for access to regional transit services, was expanded to Fort Saskatchewan in September 2017.[12] In May 2018, Fort Saskatchewan opened a new $3.4 million park-and-ride facility near the Dow Centennial Centre (DCC).[13] The facility has 300 parking stalls and a capacity of 50 people, as well as a heated shelter and bicycle parking.[13] Solar panels and recycled asphalt were incorporated to make the structure more environmentally friendly.[13]

In April 2019, Fort Saskatchewan city council approved the purchase of an electric bus for $397,500, with the city contributing $70,000 of the total cost, and the rest of the cost being covered by provincial and federal grants.[14] This purchase was later cancelled by city council due to the closure of the Alberta Community Transit Fund, which would have provided the provincial contribution for the purchase.[3] In November 2019, mid-day service was re-instated for the ETS commuter route, which had been re-numbered to 580.[3] The size of the ETS bus serving route 580 was cut back in that same period, with a 30-foot Grande West Vicinity Bus replacing the previously used 40-foot New Flyer bus.[3]

FST launched a semi-weekly route tailored to the city's senior population in March 2019, at a cost of $35,000 per year.[15] It provided seniors with access to downtown, shopping centres, and medical services.[15] However, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the route averaged one rider, or less, per hour.[15] City council voted in late August 2020 to cancel the route as of September 18, 2020, with Mayor Gale Katchur noting that this decision could be revisited as the pandemic eased.[15]

Routes
An ETS bus on its way to Fort Saskatchewan
Route Route Name Route Details Notes
582 Blue Route Travels in a counter-clockwise loop through Fort Saskatchewan.[16] Route 582 does not go through the downtown core.[16]
583 Red Route Travels in a clockwise loop through Fort Saskatchewan.[16] Route 583 does not go through the Westpark neighbourhood.[16]
580 Commuter Route Provides connections to the DCC Park & Ride, and the Clareview Transit Centre.[16] Route 580 is operated by ETS, and provides limited coverage within Fort Saskatchewan.[16]

FST operates two bus routes within Fort Saskatchewan from Monday to Friday.[2] The two daily routes, 582 (the "Blue Route"), and 583 (the "Red Route"), mostly traverse the same parts of the city, but go in opposite directions.[2] The two routes diverge at the east and west ends of the city, with the Westpark neighbourhood being served mostly by route 582, and the downtown core conversely being served mainly by route 583.[2] FST provides real-time tracking for both local routes using the third-party app Passio GO.

To help facilitate regional travel, ETS is contracted by Fort Saskatchewan to operate route 580, which provides peak-hour service between Fort Saskatchewan and the Clareview Transit Centre in Edmonton.[2] Both local routes, as well as route 580, converge at the FST park and ride, and at the North Transfer Station on 99th Ave.[2]

Special Transportation Services Society

The Special Transportation Services Society (STSS) is a volunteer service operated by the Fort Saskatchewan Lions Club, which offers accessible minivan services for people who use walkers, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, or are otherwise unable to access regular transit services due to a physical disability.[17] People who use this service must register in advance, and bring a companion who can look after them during the trip.[17] The group offers service to anywhere within Fort Saskatchewan for $5 per one-way trip.[17] They also offer rides to medical services in select neighbouring communities, but the cost of the trip is dependent on the distance traveled.[17] Local service operates Monday to Friday, while out-of-town service is only available from Tuesday to Thursday.[17]

Fares

General fares

The table below lists general fares as of 1 January 2021.[16] FST currently only accepts cash for fare payments made on buses.[16]

Children under 12 (without fare-paying passenger) Adult (18-64) Students (13-17) and seniors (65+)
Cash $2.00 $2.50 $2.00
10 Ticket Pack N/A $22.50 $16.00
Monthly Pass N/A $52.50 $22.00

Children 12 and under ride for free as long as they are accompanied by a fare-paying passenger.[16]

FST provides discounts for certain groups:[16]

  • Low-income riders qualify for discounted monthly rates through the "Everyone Rides" program.
  • Students attending MacEwan University, NAIT, NorQuest College, and the University of Alberta have access to the Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass) program, which offers unlimited rides in exchange for a fee built into their tuition.[16]

Commuter rates

FST contracts Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) to provide a connection to the Clareview Transit Centre in Edmonton.[16] The fares for this connecting route, #580, are set by ETS.[16]

Children under 12 (without fare-paying passenger) Adult (18-64) Students (13-17) and seniors (65+)
Cash $2.00 $5.00 $4.00
10 Ticket Pack N/A $45.00 $32.00
Monthly Pass N/A $83.00 $37.50

FST also offers an integrated monthly pass which allows for unlimited travel locally and within Edmonton.[16] This pass costs $126.00 for students age 13-17, $180.00 for adults 18-64, and $53.00 for seniors 65+.[16]

Facilities
The DCC Park and Ride

DCC Park and Ride

Address: Fort Saskatchewan, AB T8L 0G7

Coordinates: 53°40′56.8″N 113°14′14.2″W

Amenities: Park and ride, heated shelter, bicycle parking

North Transfer Station

Address: 95 Street & 99 Avenue, Fort Saskatchewan, AB

Coordinates: 53°42′15.7″N 113°13′22.5″W

Amenities: Heated shelters

PWTransit Bus Garage

Address: #105 – 11129 83 Avenue, Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta T8L 3T9

Coordinates: 53°42′07.2″N 113°11′11.6″W

Functions: Storage and maintenance facility for buses; no transit services are provided from this location.

Fleet
Fort Sask Transit Fleet (September 2016)
ManufacturerModelAccessibleYearQuantityFleet Nos.Ref
ArbocSpirit of Mobility (GM Chassis)*20163282–284[6]

*Companions of passengers with mobility aids and equipment may ride for free.[2]

Route 580 is served by a 30-foot Grande West Vicinity Bus, which is owned and operated by ETS, and fully accessible.[6][2]

Future Plans

Edmonton Metropolitan Transit Services Commission
Further information: Edmonton Metropolitan Transit Services Commission

In March 2020, Fort Saskatchewan city council voted to join twelve other municipalities to investigate the potential for a regional transit services commission (RTSC).[18] Its membership in the potential commission was subject to another vote once its cost model was altered to reflect Strathcona County's decision to opt out.[18] The potential commission would allow for weekend transit service in Fort Saskatchewan, and add bus services to the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT), and West Edmonton Mall.[18] In June 2020, Fort Saskatchewan and eight other regional municipalities, including Edmonton, Leduc, Spruce Grove, and St. Albert, formally submitted an application to the provincial government to establish the Edmonton Metropolitan Transit Services Commission.[19] Their proposal had to be altered after three more municipalities, including Leduc County and Sturgeon County, withdrew from the project.[20] Because Strathcona County opted out of the potential commission, Fort Saskatchewan plans to conduct separate talks with the county to try and establish a route between the city, and the county's Bethel Transit Centre.[19]

An interim board of elected representatives from each member community is conducting the initial work of the potential commission, including hiring a Chief Executive Officer.[19] If it is approved by the provincial government, the potential commission could start official operations in 2021.[19] It would initially contract service delivery to existing municipal transit agencies while it develops its operational and planning capabilities.[21] Edmonton's local transit services and LRT network would not be transferred to the commission due to their size and operational costs.[22] The commission's board will re-consider the inclusion of Edmonton's LRT network five years after the commission is formally stood up.[22]

SmartFare

FST joined the SmartFare program, which comprises an electronic farecard and intermunicipal fare structure, in May 2018.[23] It will allow riders to pay their fares by tapping fare cards when boarding and leaving buses, and riders will eventually be able to pay by tapping their bank cards.[23] Edmonton, St. Albert, and Strathcona County are among the other communities which plan to take part in this system.[23] This new system was set to launch in early 2021, but its rollout was delayed by the closure of the Canada-United States border during the COVID-19 pandemic.[24]

See also

References
  1. "What you need to know about the Fort's new transit system". FortSaskOnline.com. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  2. "Transit". City of Fort Saskatchewan. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  3. "Fort Transit — funding cut, services increase". Fort Saskatchewan Record. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  4. "Contact PWTransit Canada". Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  5. Morey, Lindsay. "Local ridership continues to surge". Fort Saskatchewan Record. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  6. Dionigi, Anthony (2018). Transit Review. City of Fort Saskatchewan.
  7. "Fort Saskatchewan Transit". www.barp.ca. Retrieved 2020-05-23.
  8. "Improved transit routes September 6". FortSaskOnline.com. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  9. "Fort Saskatchewan Transit". www.barp.ca. Retrieved 2020-05-16.
  10. Myroon, Alex. "Fort Transit has busiest ever month". FortSaskOnline.com. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  11. "Contact PWTransit Canada". Retrieved May 18, 2020.
  12. England, Haley. "U-Pass in full swing for the Fort". FortSaskOnline.com. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  13. Delong, Leanne. "New Park and Ride officially opens for riders". FortSaskOnline.com. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  14. "Council approves the purchase of electric bus". Fort Saskatchewan Record. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  15. "Fort cancels seniors bus route". www.sturgeoncreek.ca. Retrieved 2020-08-27.
  16. "Transit". www.fortsask.ca. 2021-01-04. Retrieved 2021-01-13.
  17. "Special Transportation Service Society". Fort Saskatchewan Lions Club. Retrieved 2020-05-17.
  18. Philpott, Emma. "Fort Saskatchewan says 'yes' to Regional Transit Services Commission". FortSaskOnline.com. Retrieved 2020-05-15.
  19. Stolz, Hannah. "Regional Transit Services Commission reaches major milestone". FortSaskOnline.com. Retrieved 2020-06-23.
  20. "Regional Transit Services Commission reaches major milestone with application to the Province / City of St. Albert". City of St. Albert. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  21. Ernst & Young LLP (June 1, 2020). "Accelerating Transit in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region: Building a Regional Transit Services Commission Addendum" (PDF). City of Edmonton. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  22. Ernst & Young LLP (January 22, 2020). "Accelerating Transit in the Edmonton Metropolitan Region: Building a Regional Transit Services Commission" (PDF). City of Edmonton. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  23. England, Luke. "Fort Saskatchewan joining Smart Fare program". FortSaskOnline.com. Retrieved 2020-05-23.
  24. "Border closure due to COVID-19 puts brakes on Edmonton transit's smart fare system". Global News. Retrieved 2020-09-20.
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