New cityLINK transit network to improve ride times in Lethbridge

The goal is to decrease ride times for customers, while still offering adequate services for users in low-ridership areas. Lethbridge Transit general manager Tim Sanderson said that the network is made up of two avenues.

“The primary piece of the system is the high-frequency fixed route network that the vast majority of passengers, our customers are going to ride. The second component is on those lower-demand areas, [or] places where we have less transit ridership existing, we predict that there’s going to be less transit ridership, has on-demand service.”

With the on-demand service, Sanderson explained that customers can call 311 or use the Rides on Demand app on their smartphone to arrange a ride. The app will go live on the August 25 network launch day.

“That vehicle will come to their house and pick them up [and] it will take them to any other point within their zone. The zones, there’s about four or five of them, they’re just a couple of neighborhoods that are put together in various parts of suburban Lethbridge.”

Anyone wanting a ride outside of their residential zone can be dropped off at one of the main city transit hubs, in order to board a bus on one of the fixed high-frequency routes.

Poster advertising the new cityLINK network. (Lethbridge News Now)

The changes are being implemented following in-depth planning and analysis through both the City of Lethbridge’s Transit Master Plan as well as a third-party Operational Review and community engagement.

Highlights of the new system include:

Rapid 10/10 service between the U of L and the downtown City Centre, meaning there is a bus every 10 minutes and the trip will only take 10 minutes.
Bi-directional network lines to get riders to their destination quicker.
Improved access to destination areas such as the ATB Centre, Chinook Regional Hospital and the Mayor Magrath commercial area.
Demand response will make for fewer large-size buses on narrow streets as the smaller access-a-ride style buses will be primarily used for the demand service in low-ridership areas.

Sanderson added that adjustments to the cityLINK network will very likely be made as Lethbridge Transit receives feedback from customers.

He said, “what we’ve really tried to do is to increase the frequency and options for going to those most frequent destinations.”

Residents looking to plan their new route can do so through the city’s website here. Staff are also available to answer questions in-person at the Downtown Park ‘n’ Ride Transit Terminal and over the phone through Lethbridge 311.

For trips planned after the August 25 launch date, users can access the trip planner tool through MyRide.

More details about the cityLINK network are available here.

by Justin Goulet

New cityLINK transit network to improve ride times in Lethbridge

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