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Provincial COVID-19 Measures
Effective June 15, the Government of Alberta lifted remaining COVID-19 restrictions. This means:
- Masks will no longer be mandatory on public transit.
- Mandatory isolation due to symptoms or a positive COVID result is lifted and is a recommendation only
- Masks will still be required in AHS facilities
- Some measures in continuing care will remain while others will be rescinded by June 30
- Some may choose to continue masking. Please treat each other with kindness and respect, and consider staying home if you're unwell.
Transit terminals
Please only use our terminals as transfer points for busing, and spend as little time as possible indoors. When using the terminals, please respect other customer’s personal space and maintain a reasonable physical distance.
Current Transit terminal hours of operation:
Bethel Transit Terminal
Monday to Friday: 5:30 a.m. to 10:45 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 10:45 p.m.
Sunday: 8 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.
Ordze Transit Centre
Monday to Friday: 5:30 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
Physical distancing
We ask that passengers respect one another’s space. One person per row is encouraged when possible.
We ask that customers board at the front and depart via the back doors of the bus. Front door exit will be reserved for riders with mobility needs.
Crowding on buses
Transit is working to reduce crowding on our most popular routes wherever and whenever possible. By adding extra buses on routes and times when transit is in highest demand we are working to ensure we allow for the most distance between riders possible. Please know that we are doing our best, however we only have so many buses and all our routes require a bus. If you feel uncomfortable with how many people are on your bus, you may consider riding at at different time when there are fewer riders.
Cleanliness
Strathcona County Transit is taking precautions to ensure your health and safety during this time of uncertainty. Operator safety shields are in place on County buses to further protect bus operators and riders.
In an effort to ensure the cleaning and disinfecting practices SC Transit employs on our buses are effective in combatting viruses and bacteria, we engaged an industrial hygienist to perform surface sampling before and after buses are cleaned. The results are in, and we are proud to report our disinfecting processes are fully effective in reducing biological markers on our transit fleet! This means our buses are as clean and safe as ever to travel in. Thanks to all our bus cleaners for their hard work to keep us all safe and our amazing on bus air purification system!
Mask use on Transit
As of June 15, 2022, as directed by the Province of Alberta, masks are no longer required in terminals and on board buses. However if you wish to continue to wear them, transit encourages you to do so. Everyone's comfort levels are different and we encourage all riders to respect each other and treat one another with kindness.
Tips for safer travel on Transit
While the province is opening up and COVID-19 is becoming more a part of our everyday life, there are ways we can travel safer to ensure the spread of any virus is limited.Transit will continue to keep our increased our cleaning efforts both on buses and at our terminals and important part of transit protocols. But below are some tips that you can take that may be helpful to keep you just a little safer while travelling on Transit.
![]() Consider travelling for essential purposes only |
Please consider travelling only for necessary purposes during peak travel timesOf course we want you to take transit wherever you need to go, however, consider whether you need to take this specific trip during peak times. Generally necessary trips include work, school, shopping and medical reasons, however it is up to you to decide what necessary means to you. |
![]() Please stay home if you are ill |
If you are ill, please stay homeIf you are exhibiting signs of COVID-19, please stay home. But honestly, If you have any kind of illness, we encourage you to stay home, or at least wear a mask while travelling. it's the considerate thing to do, especially since we all own masks now. |
![]() Wear a mask |
Consider wearing a maskMasks are no longer required in terminals and on board buses. However if you wish to continue to wear them, transit encourages you to do so. Everyone's comfort levels are different and we encourage all riders to respect each other and treat one another with kindness. |
![]() Use hand sanitizer regularly |
We recommend you carry hand sanitizerWashing your hands or the regular use of hand sanitizer before you board and after you depart buses is a good means of reducing everyone's exposure to illness. Transit recommends you travel with hand sanitizer and use it after touching any shared surfaces such as hand rails. |
![]() 2 meters physical distance is recommended |
Please maintain physical distancing standardsPhysical distancing is one of the best way to avoid contact with unwanted germs. Whether you are in the terminal or on the bus, we encourage you to maintain the recommended 2 metre distance recommended by the Province. It's not mandated, but it is wise. |
![]() One person per seat please |
One person per seat - if there is space, why not?When riding the bus, it is recommended to have one person per seat, unless you are travelling with members of your own cohort. We further encourage you to maintain a seat distance between you and other riders if possible. We acknowledge this is not always possible, hence our encouraging you to also wear a mask. |
![]() Use tap! |
Use tap!Touch-less forms of payment are a good means of reducing contact with others. Using monthly or day passes when travelling on transit is an excellent way to reduce the need for handling cash and transfers. Transit now has tap available both its customer service centres, and we highly recommend you take advantage of this new touch-less technology. |
![]() Avoid peak travel times |
Choose non-peak travel times if possibleRiding outside of peak travel times on transit is a great way to avoid the crowds. Whenever possible transit encourages you to avoid the morning hours of 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. |
Transit by-law update
On July 6, 2021, Council passed a new Transit Bylaw (25-2021) with updated provisions that meet current and future transit needs, including compatibility with the regional smart fare approach (Arc). It's been more than 30 years since the bylaw (Public Transportation System Bylaw 44-88) has been updated and customers will be excited to see that items such as food and drink restrictions have been removed.
Tips for being a courteous commuter
- The seats at the front of the bus are to be used for passengers who may have issues standing.
- If you see someone who may have a greater need for a seat, please offer yours.
- There is no smoking or vaping on buses or with 5 metres of the bus door and windows. There is no smoking in the terminals or on the platform. Please only smoke or vape in designated smoking areas. This includes e-cigarettes.
- Please do not wear strong perfumes and colognes.
- One seat = one passenger.
- When listening to music, wear earphones and keep the volume low.
- Keep all conversations at a respectful volume, whether they are in-person or on the phone.
- Keep all bags on your lap or at your feet. Your items cannot block access ways for other passengers.
- Avoid eating on the bus.
- Take all your garbage with you.
- Be patient. Pushing is not necessary. Excuse yourself when exiting through a crowd.
- Be polite. Move to the back.
- Only service animals registered with the Provincial Government under the Service Dog Act are allowed to ride on buses without a kennel. All other pets, including non-registered support animals, are allowed on board buses, however must be in a kennel or cage that fits on your lap. Kennels are not allowed to block walk ways.
- When using a stroller, please ensure the wheels are locked once on board. If your stroller does not lock, please remove your child from the vessel and seat them on your lap.
- Wagons are not allowed on-board SCT buses. Collapsible wagons can be used, however they must be collapsed and cannot block access ways on the bus.
Transit bus hold guidelines
Transit is committed to operating based on the advertised schedule under normal operating conditions. Sometimes due to outside influences such as: inclement weather and road conditions, construction and traffic, buses may run late and at times possibly miss connections.
In order to better assist our customers in making those connections Operators are allowed to request another bus to hold during peak times as long as it does not negatively impact the overall efficiency of the routes.
In order to ensure this, some rules exist. Operators are allowed to request holds weekdays between 5:45 a.m. and 6:45 p.m. if the request does not impact the holding bus for more than five minutes (this includes the time required for the unloading and loading of passengers). Commuter buses are also limited on requesting holds until they have crossed either Broadmoor and Baseline on route to Bethel Transit Terminal, or Highway 216 and the Sherwood Park Freeway on route to Ordze Transit Centre.
On weekdays after 6:45 p.m. and on weekends, Operators are permitted to request holds as long as the request does not impact the holding bus for more than ten minutes (this includes the time required for the unloading and loading of passengers).
Please remember that Transit works to support the needs of all our customers and that customer service is a priority. We will strive to assist customers in making their connections whenever possible.
Transit lost and found
Lost and found is located at:
Bethel Transit Terminal, 650 Bethel Drive, Sherwood Park, ABMonday to Friday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday: 8 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and 1:15 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sunday: Closed
All items found on Transit vehicles or properties are turned into the Lost and Found within 48 hours and are kept for 30 days before removal.
Articles of clothing, such as mittens or scarves, are placed in the Bethel Transit Terminal lobby. All other items, including phones and keys, are kept in a secure location.
Please call 780-464-RIDE (7433) to claim a lost item.