Transportation

In Transit Newsletter - February 2011

The Every Day Way to get Bus Schedule Texts

ETS customers can now send a text message to 31100 from their cell phones and get scheduled bus and LRT information in seconds.

Customers have three options for text information from 31100. They can get general route schedules for all buses using a specific stop by texting the bus stop number. A specific schedule for a particular route is available by texting the bus stop number and bus route. Customers can also create an online profile to get customized text messages for a particular stop or route at a specific time of day.

The ETS text messaging service is free, however standard data/messaging rates may apply.

ETS 2011 Fares

ETS fares increase on February 1, 2011.

The Adult Monthly Pass and the DATS Monthly Pass each increase to $84.65. The Post Secondary Pass increases to $76.95. The Day Pass increases to $8.55.

Starting with the sale of the 2011 passes, the Senior Citizen Annual Pass goes up to $118.00 while the Low Income Senior Annual Pass will be $51.00. The Senior Citizen Monthly Pass increases to $13.00.

The Adult Ticket Strip of 10 rides goes up to $22.80 and the Youth/Senior strip of tickets for 10 rides increases to $19.95.

All cash fares go up to $2.85 per trip.

The fare increases scheduled for 2011 apply to all February 2011 fare products regardless of the date of purchase. Increases in transit fares help pay for improvements in transit service and for new service in growing areas of the city.

February Service Changes

There will be minor changes to ETS service starting Sunday, February 13.

Most of the changes are schedule related and have been designed to improve route connections.

Leading the Way Youth Summit

Youth leaders, 18 - 28 years old, with a keen interest in transit and sustainable transportation, are invited to apply to be a delegate at the Leading the Way Youth Summit on Sustainable Transportation, May 6-8, 2011 in Edmonton.

ETS is the host transit system for this first-ever regional youth summit event presented by the Prairies and Territories Chapter of the Canadian Urban Transit Association. Delegates will have the opportunity to learn, share ideas, network with like-minded peers and professionals in transit and related industries, and explore career paths in these fields. Inspiring speakers, best practices in transit and sustainable transportation and social activities round out this weekend focused on the prairies and territories region.

Application deadline is February 18, 2011. Don’t miss out on this unique opportunity!

To find out more or to apply go to http://www.leadingthewayyouthsummit.com/.

Family Day Service

Monday, February 21 is Family Day, and ETS will be operating on modified Saturday schedules, with increased service in both a.m. and p.m. peak time periods. This increased peak service has been designed to address the travel requirements of customers working on Monday.

Transit information is available by calling 311. The ETS Customer Services Centre, including Lost & Found, will be closed on February 21.

Use an ETS Day Pass to travel with your family to Family Day events. Up to four children (ages 12 and under) when accompanied by an adult, can use the Day Pass to ride ETS all day.

Check the ETS Trip Planner or call BusLink at 780-496-1600 for complete route and schedule details.

2011 Senior Passes

The 2010 ETS Annual Senior Citizen Pass is valid until March 31, 2011.

ETS will be mailing out renewal packages for annual passes in early March.

The new 2011 Annual Pass goes on sale Tuesday, March 1 at the ETS Customer Services Centre in Churchill Station. Cost for the Annual Pass has increased to $118 (the Low Income Annual Pass now costs $51).

Please note: to use a Senior fare, you need to be 65 years old. Customers under 65 years using these products could be subject to a fine of $150.

DATS Assists Leduc Paratransit Service

DATS is entering an agreement with the City of Leduc to assist in the delivery of their paratransit service.

Starting this month, DATS is providing booking, dispatch and scheduling functions to Leduc Assisted Transportation Service (LATS). Leduc continues to be responsible for LATS registration, drivers and vehicles. DATS is also leasing mobile data terminals (MDT) for use in the Leduc vehicles.

The paratransit agencies will remain separate and no trips between Edmonton and Leduc are included in the agreement.

School Holiday Service

Students will be out of school this month for Reading Week, February 22 to 25, and ETS is adjusting service levels as a result.

ETS will be providing regular weekday service, with most of the extra service to the University, MacEwan and NAIT cancelled.