On‑demand transit is a flexible, shared‑ride public transit service that lets customers book trips when they need them. Instead of fixed routes and schedules, riders request a trip in real time using the Strathcona County Transit app or by phone. Vehicles pick up and drop off passengers at nearby stops, sharing rides with others travelling in the same area. On‑demand transit is available during evenings and weekends, and in select neighbourhoods during peak hours.

Service officially starts at the above noted times. This is when riders can begin requesting trips. Buses do not arrive automatically at start of service. Once a trip is confirmed, the bus will travel to pick you up based on the scheduled pick‑up time.

Two types of on-demand service

Starting June 22, Transit will provide two types of on-demand transit services:

1. Evening and weekend service
   The service you know.
   This on-demand service provides local evening and weekend service throughout Sherwood Park. Book your trip within 30-minutes of your desired travel time and the app will find a trip that is right for you. You are paired with other riders heading the same direction.

   This service is designed to connect with our commuter service to Edmonton at the Bethel Transit Terminal every hour on the :15 during evenings and weekends.

2. Cambrian peak-hour service
   New service starting June 22, 2026
   Peak-hour service is designed to introduce transit services into new neighbourhoods. Providing service during these hours allows connections to fixed-route services during peak travel times.
   Use the app to book your trip 30-minutes prior to your desired travel time.
   Peak-hour service currently is available for: Cambrian and Hearthstone neighbourhoods only. Service is only available Monday through Friday, no evening or weekends.

Booking phone line hours of operation:

• Monday to Friday
  7 a.m. - 11:45 p.m.

• Saturday
  6:15 a.m. - 11:45 p.m.

• Sunday
  7 a.m. - 7:45 p.m.

Trip bookings can be made within 30 minutes of your desired travel time. Posted hours of operation reflect these parameters.

If you have questions about On-demand Transit, you can contact customer service team during our regular hours of operation:

• Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

• Saturdays, 8:30 a.m. - 12:15 p.m and 1:15 - 4:30 p.m. (closed for lunch)
  780-464-RIDE (7433) 

How to book your trip

All travel is now truly on-demand. Within 30 minutes of your desired travel time, use the online tool here, or the app.
You can also call 780-464-RIDE (7433) during On-demand hours of operation to book within 30 minutes of your desired travel time if you do not have access to the app or a computer.

You can book your trips by:

Using the App

The app will continue to be your best option for quick and easy access to trips.

Download the Strathcona County Transit app from 

Google Play

 or

App Store

 – Look for the icon below

• Create your profile making sure you have enabled notifications and your locations.

• The is your most flexible option! 

OR

Web tool

You will need to create an account to book your trips.
For best results, use Google Chrome. Ensure you allow your browser you use to access your location.

• When creating an account through with web tool, you will need to get a verification code. If you are using a landline as your phone number, wait for the timer to expire and click "problem receiving code?" 

• Then select, "Call me instead" you will receive a 6-digit verification code and be able to proceed with setting up your account.

• If you do not have a phone to receive a call you can select "contact support". An email will be sent to Transit that will be responded to during regular customer service hours, Monday to Friday 7 a.m. - 7 p.m. and Saturday 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

OR

Call 780-464-7433 to book your trip within 30 minutes of your desired travel time, 

We encourage all customers who are able to use the app to book their trips to do so. We recognize there are some individuals who must continue to use the phone lines for booking. The phones will remain open during on-demand service for these customers. Using the phone line will provide the same access to trips as the app.

Fares

On-Demand service fares are the same as regular fares.  You can use:

• the Arc card

• an Arc ticket with a valid local product

• cash

Ensure you ask for a transfer if you are transferring to another bus.

Payment

You will need to pay when you ride your bus. In-app payment is not available.

Timing your trips

Pick-up Time - important

You will receive a pick-up window and an estimated time of arrival. Please always be at the stop before the pick-up window. The bus could arrive with that window, and it can not wait.

Using the app as a trip planner

Plan a trip anywhere in the Edmonton Capital Region. Enter your destination in the app, see the best options by bus, On Demand or a combination of the two, and take the trip that's best for you. If on-demand is part of your trip, the app will let you book the on-demand trip that best connects with your conventional trip. You can also plan trips across the region that fall outside of on-demand hours. Just enter your starting point and end destination and the app will help you find your most efficient route!

• Enter your starting location under "My Location" and your final destination under "My Destination"

• The trip planner will give you a complete trip including all the different routes you will need to take. If there is an on-demand portion of the trip, it will give you the opportunity to book that on-demand trip (within on-demand hours of operation).

• The entire trip plan will be saved in your app for you to access on the day travel, and it the system will ensure that your on-demand trip connects with your commuter trips to allow you to continue on to your final destination.

Cancelling modifying your trip

If you need to modify the time of an existing trip this can be done within the app, web tool or by calling 780-464-RIDE (7433) during On-demand hours of operation.

If you need to change the pick-up or drop-off location of an existing trip, please cancel it and re-book. A new location is considered a new trip.

Always cancel your trip if you no longer need it. Other people need that spot.

To cancel your trip:

You can cancel a ride once you have booked your ride and you see that the driver in on the way by following these steps:

1. Head to the Waiting for Vehicle screen.

2. Click on the Cancel Ride button located at the bottom of the screen.

Booking with the new web app tool

 Find the closest bus stop

We’ve included a lot of popular destinations in the app, but if your destination is not there, type your desired destination into the app. The App will figure out the closest bus stop, complete with walking directions to the bus stop.

No trip available in the system, what happened?

If the app shows that a trip is not available, first make sure you are trying to book a trip within the hours of the operation.
Otherwise, the buses may be busy or temporarily offline. Try booking again in a few minutes or call 780-464-RIDE (7433) during On-demand hours of operation.

Booking for other people

You may book a trip for other people if you are travelling with them. If they are travelling on their own, they must create their own account to ride. Please choose the total number of passengers in your party including yourself to ensure there is enough space on the bus for everyone otherwise, someone may be left on the curb having to rebook a trip. Accuracy counts when booking for multiple people - now that Transit is using the smaller 25' buses there is limited capacity for people on theses buses and standing is not allowed.

Routing

The Strathcona Transit app books and routes rides in the most efficient way to take care of all the passengers booking the bus, this includes the ones currently on route to their destination, and the ones that will be picked up on the way. This means that the fastest route is not always going to be the most direct route to where you as an individual are going. The algorithm plots the most effective route to take care of everyone’s needs. Know that we will get you there according to the times that the app has prearranged for you.

Accessibility features

25' buses

• These buses have lifts designed to be used for passengers with mobility limitations, including individuals who have trouble with the stairs, and those who have mobility aids such as wheelchairs mobility scooters or walkers. Operators will ride the lift with passengers who require the use of the lift.

• Passengers in a mobility scooter must transfer from their scooter to a seat and be seat-belted in. If the passenger cannot do this themselves, then a care attendant must accompany the passenger (mandatory attendants for this purpose ride free). Passengers will be made aware of this at the time of booking.  If no care attendant is with the passenger at the time of boarding, then they will need to rebook their ride.  

• Strollers can be loaded/unloaded using the lift. Children who are secured in the stroller can use the lift with their parents/caregivers at their side. It is preferred that strollers are folded and carried onto the bus if they are empty. 

• All of the above mobility aides, and strollers, must be mentioned at time of booking your trip and secured in the allotted securements on board the bus. Operators are provided additional time within their schedule to accommodate for the loading and unloading of these items to help keep on-demand running on schedule.

Bicycles

Both types of buses have bike racks. You must be able to place and remove your own bike onto the rack. The Operator is not allowed to get off the bus to help you with this.

Pets

Service animals are always welcome, as required by law.

Small pets in a secure carrier or cage that travels on the owner's lap are allowed on the bus. However, larger carriers that take up a seat or block the aisle, are not allowed.

Bus types

The 25' cutaway buses are now the primary buses used for on-demand transit. This is to ensure we are using the proper capacity of bus for the type of service we are providing. You can expect to see these smaller cutaway buses pick you up from now on. 

Due to cutaway buses being smaller and lighter, they can travel on any street within the community. Although the service is stop to stop, you may notice them using more local roads to get around more efficiently. 

Safety and accessibility

General safety aboard on-demand

When riding the 25' buses, all riders are required to wear seatbelts. There are also 1 or 2 built-in safety seats for children, and mobility devices can be secured to the floor. All buses have are equipped with surveillance cameras and follow the same 'Safe Bus' protocols as our 40' buses in the evenings providing you the opportunity to request an alternate stop closer to your desired destination.

Child safety on-board

The On Demand Transit 25' buses are designed for passengers of all ages.

• You can bring a child in a stroller onto the bus, but they may not remain in seated in the stroller once the bus is in motion.

• There is space on board for multiple strollers, they must be folded down and stowed away appropriately.

• You must bring your own infant safety carrier for those children who weigh less than 20 pounds or 9 kilograms.

• Bucket style infant carriers should be buckled into the seat belt provided.

• Wagons are not allowed on buses as the wheels do not lock and can be a safety issue. If you have a collapsable wagon, you may bring it on board, but it must be collapsed and stowed.

• Each 25' bus is equipped with 1 or 2 built in safety seats that you must strap young children into for safety purposes. The Alberta Traffic Safety Act requires passengers of all ages to wear seatbelts or use approved safety seats in vehicles like these. Children 22- 78 lbs must use the provided booster seats at the front of the bus. Caregivers are responsible for securing their children. The instructional video below will help you use these simple seats.

Common questions

Terms and conditions

• Privacy statement
• Terms of use
• Freedom of Information Privacy statement:
  Personal information is collected under the authority of section 4(c) of the Information Act and the Protection of Privacy Act  and will be used in the management and administration of Strathcona County’s On-Demand Transit Pilot Program and for purposes of evaluation of the pilot program. Account and trip information may be migrated to a permanent version of a future On-Demand Transit Program if required. If you have any questions about the collection or use of your personal information, please contact Transit Analyst and Scheduler at 780-410-8526.