Lethbridge Transit
Encyclopedia
Lethbridge Transit manages and operates the municipally-owned public transport
ation system in Lethbridge
, Alberta
, Canada
.
system operated by the Lethbridge Municipal Railway. The system consisted of three lines, all originating at the southwest corner of what is now Galt Gardens
. One line ran to north Lethbridge, one to the exhibition grounds
via 6 Avenue, and the third to St. Michael's Hospital
via 13 Street. Each car was operated by two men until 1917, when the number was reduced to a single operator on each. At the height of its operations, the streetcar system ran 10 cars over a total of 10 miles of track.
Given the cost of laying new tracks to accommodate city growth, the city began introducing motor buses
in 1941. By 1947, the streetcar system had been abandoned, with the North Lethbridge line being the last to operate.
The public transportation system Lethbridge Transit oversees consists of 40 buses (with an average age of 10 years) — including 8 Euro-styled New Flyers
put in operation in August 2006 — that cover most of the city on 12 routes. Traditionally, all bus routes in the city started and ended downtown. In the early 21st century, however, cross-town and shuttle routes were introduced. All routes use wheelchair-accessible buses.
In 2005, Lethbridge Transit had an annual ridership of 2,555,695 on over 25 buses. Expenses for the same year amounted to $6,023,794 with revenues at $2,243,222.
system for post secondary students in Lethbridge. While University of Lethbridge
undergraduate students voted against the system, graduate students voted in favour. Lethbridge Transit and the Graduate Students Association negotiated a U-Pass system for master’s and PhD students effective September 2008.
In June 2011, Lethbridge city council authorized the introduction of an electronic fare card to replace the previous fare system.
Public transport
Public transport is a shared passenger transportation service which is available for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab, car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams...
ation system in Lethbridge
Lethbridge
Lethbridge is a city in the province of Alberta, Canada, and the largest city in southern Alberta. It is Alberta's fourth-largest city by population after Calgary, Edmonton and Red Deer, and the third-largest by area after Calgary and Edmonton. The nearby Canadian Rockies contribute to the city's...
, Alberta
Alberta
Alberta is a province of Canada. It had an estimated population of 3.7 million in 2010 making it the most populous of Canada's three prairie provinces...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
History
Public transit in Lethbridge began in 1912 and consisted of a streetcarTram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
system operated by the Lethbridge Municipal Railway. The system consisted of three lines, all originating at the southwest corner of what is now Galt Gardens
Galt Gardens
Galt Gardens is a urban park located in downtown Lethbridge, Alberta. It is the location of many of the city's festivals and is also the home of the Southern Alberta Art Gallery.-History:...
. One line ran to north Lethbridge, one to the exhibition grounds
Exhibition Park (Lethbridge)
Exhibition Park is an exhibition complex located on the eastern edge of Lethbridge, Alberta.-Facilities:Permanent structures at the site include a 10,664 m² pavilion complex , Heritage Hall, Pioneer Park, a grandstand, and Whoop-Up Downs.-Events:Roughly 950 events are held at the park every year,...
via 6 Avenue, and the third to St. Michael's Hospital
St. Michael's Health Centre
St. Michael's Health Centre is located in Lethbridge and offers a multi-faceted range of rehabilitation, palliative and continuing care services within the Chinook Health Region. The organization currently meets the needs of 156 continuing care residents, 36 rehabilitation patients and 10...
via 13 Street. Each car was operated by two men until 1917, when the number was reduced to a single operator on each. At the height of its operations, the streetcar system ran 10 cars over a total of 10 miles of track.
Given the cost of laying new tracks to accommodate city growth, the city began introducing motor buses
Bus
A bus is a road vehicle designed to carry passengers. Buses can have a capacity as high as 300 passengers. The most common type of bus is the single-decker bus, with larger loads carried by double-decker buses and articulated buses, and smaller loads carried by midibuses and minibuses; coaches are...
in 1941. By 1947, the streetcar system had been abandoned, with the North Lethbridge line being the last to operate.
Operations
New Flyer Industries
New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:...
put in operation in August 2006 — that cover most of the city on 12 routes. Traditionally, all bus routes in the city started and ended downtown. In the early 21st century, however, cross-town and shuttle routes were introduced. All routes use wheelchair-accessible buses.
In 2005, Lethbridge Transit had an annual ridership of 2,555,695 on over 25 buses. Expenses for the same year amounted to $6,023,794 with revenues at $2,243,222.
Recent projects
In 2006, Lethbridge Transit explored the possibility of a universal bus passUniversal Transit Pass
In North America,Universal Transit Pass is a program that gives students enrolled in participating post-secondary institutions unlimited access to local transit. Programs are typically funded through mandatory fees that eligible students pay in each term in which they are registered. Fees are...
system for post secondary students in Lethbridge. While University of Lethbridge
University of Lethbridge
The University of Lethbridge is a publicly-funded comprehensive academic and research university, founded in the liberal education tradition, located in Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada, with two other urban campuses in Calgary and Edmonton. The main building sits among the coulees on the west side of...
undergraduate students voted against the system, graduate students voted in favour. Lethbridge Transit and the Graduate Students Association negotiated a U-Pass system for master’s and PhD students effective September 2008.
In June 2011, Lethbridge city council authorized the introduction of an electronic fare card to replace the previous fare system.
Routes
| Number | Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | University/Columbia Blvd/College | 7 day service. |
| 14 | Northwest Express | All day Mon-Fri service during University of Lethbridge Fall & Spring semesters. Mon-Fri peak service only during Summer semester. |
| 20 | Lakeview/Winston Churchill | 7 day service. |
| 21 | Hendersen Lake/Nord Bridge | 7 day service. |
| 22 | Agnes Davidson/Park Meadows | 7 day service. |
| 23 | 13th Street | Mon-Fri service. |
| 24 | Mayor Magrath | Mon-Fri service. |
| 30 | Fairmont | Mon-Fri service. |
| 31 | Hardieville/Uplands | Mon-Sat service. |
| 32 | Indian Battle Heights | 7 day service. |
| 33 | Heritage Heights | 7 day service. |
| 34 | Industrial Park | Mon-Fri peak service. |
| 35 | Copperwood | Mon-Fri service. |