File photo of a Lethbridge Transit bus (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

Online booking option added to Lethbridge Transit’s ride by reservation system

Jun 15, 2020 | 11:11 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The City of Lethbridge has added more flexibility to the ride by reservation service of Lethbridge Transit.

As of Monday, June 15, riders can book their trip directly into the software system that schedules the transit routes. This is in addition to requesting rides by phone.

The new online booking system will help streamline the reservation process and provide more timely information for riders, according to the City of Lethbridge.

Since the ride by reservation service was implemented in April, due to COVID-19, users were given the option to phone or submit an online form to request a ride, but this still required a staff member to enter that information into the route planning software.

Now, when a user makes a request, it will flow directly into the transit system, offering more accessibility and flexibility for riders.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

With this new features, users can:

· Book trips using any computer, tablet or smartphone

· View confirmed reservations for the next seven days

· Book trips up to seven days in advance

· Book as close as an hour in advance, if trips are available

· Complete trip cancellations online

· Views scheduled pickup time

· Sign up for email or text message notification of booking confirmation and arrival reminders

· See booked buses in real-time as they travel to the pick-up location

To use the online booking service, users must register with an email address. Anyone who has an email address on file already can sign up to book trips online. People who are not registered can contact Lethbridge Transit during business hours at 403-359-6558 to be added into the system.

The City noted that with the addition of online booking, the hours of the call centre have been reduced.

Therefore:

· Online booking is available 24/7, and rides can be booked as close to one hour before if a trip is available.

· Bookings by phone can be done Mondays through Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Phone bookings must be done 24 hours in advance of a trip.

COVID-19

The City of Lethbridge noted that although public transit has been identified as a service that can reopen in Stage 2 of the province’s relaunch strategy, the provincial government has yet to release the guiding documents outlining the regulations that need to be followed.

As Lethbridge Transit waits for that information, staff continue to monitor rider volumes. At this time, the ride by reservation service is said to be the safest option for the public and drivers.

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.