Red Deer Transit users will see fares increase a nickle on Sept. 1, for the third consecutive year.
Fares will rise to $2.25 for adults, $1.95 for youth, students and seniors, and children five and under ride for free (except in preschool groups). Preschool groups will be charged $1.95 per two children.
Monthly bus passes will run $62 and seniors/students will pay $54. Tickets (sheet of 12) will cost $23 for adults, while youth, students and seniors will pay $20. Day passes are $7.
“Our costs go up every year and every year, they approve it in the budget,” said Steve Parkin, transit facilities superintendent.
Red Deer Transit will also make some route changes effective Aug. 22 as a way to increase coverage, improve service and enhance efficiency.
Parkin said one major route change involves the neighbourhood of Lancaster. There is now coverage all along Lancaster Drive, with Route 7.
“We interlined two routes together and that made it possible to do that coverage,” Parkin said.
As well, the city deleted Route 6 which went to Red Deer Regional Hospital Centre and Westlake. The hospital will now be served by Route 10.
“We made minor re-routes on a couple of other ones to get some increased efficiency and additional coverage on the east side, without physically having to add buses.”
The Westlake area will now be served by Route 3.
Parkin said this route will be better for residents because it will run two directions whereas Route 6 only ran in one direction.
Cronquist Business Park, formerly covered by Route 3, will be served only in peak hours with Route 50.
“It’s a pretty low-use area, especially now that the civic yards have relocated,” Parkin said.
The Carnival Theatre is the biggest draw for use in that area, but Parkin said it is well within walking distance of the bus stops along 45th Street. The moviegoers could ride Route 3, over to 45th Street and 54th Avenue, Parkin said.
New route and schedule information is available online at www.reddeer.ca/transit.
The transit information, or new ride guides, will be on hand, starting Monday at City Hall, all buses and at all transit ticket sale outlets.
School overload routes will also be available within brochures after Aug. 16 at the transit Information desk at City Hall. Regular transit routes 1 through 12 are serviced with low floor buses. Passengers can call Transit Information at 403-342-8225 to ensure low floor buses are available for specific routes.
ltester@www.reddeeradvocate.com