City of Camrose Announces Changes to Community Bus Route

After an extensive review process, the City of Camrose, in collaboration with Rose City Handi-Van and the Community Transit Advisory Committee, is excited to announce upcoming changes to the Community Bus route.

Since 2017, there have been no significant alterations to the bus route, prompting a comprehensive review in 2023. Over the years, the route has undergone minor evolutions, expanding into areas of high density and incorporating a new stop near the University.

To ensure the new route reflects the needs and preferences of our residents, the City utilized various forms of public engagement, including the 2021 City of Camrose Public Transit survey, 'Our Camrose - Where do you want to see a bus stop?' initiative, Camrose Helps Community Needs survey, one-on-one interviews with riders and drivers, and day-to-day requests from residents via phone, in-person, and email.

Through these channels, several key themes emerged, informing the optimization of the bus route without necessitating additional funding. Residents expressed the desire for more bus stops in residential areas, increased stops around the downtown neighborhood (including one near the Library), a maximum route duration of one hour, and a willingness to walk up to three blocks to access bus stops.

"In response to the valuable feedback received from our residents, we are excited to implement changes that will enhance the accessibility and efficiency of our Community Bus route," said Kristofer Johnson, General Manager of Infrastructure.

The main changes to the bus route include expansion into the Century Meadows and Duggan Park neighborhoods, addition of three stops surrounding the downtown area to facilitate convenient access and minimize disruption during Main Street events, relocation of stops away from areas of traffic congestion to enhance rider and driver safety, and removal of historically low-utilized stops in favor of new stops within walking distance.

"These changes represent a collaborative effort to address the evolving needs of our community," said Councillor Lucas Banack, who also sits on the Community Transit Advisory Committee. "By incorporating resident feedback and strategic planning, we are confident that the updated bus route will better serve the diverse needs of Camrose residents."

These changes will take effect on Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024, providing residents with an improved and more efficient public transit experience. Riders can keep an eye out at all bus stop locations which will have additional signage to show the changes to the program.

For more information and a detailed route map, please visit the Transit webpage on the City of Camrose website at www.camrose.ca/transit.