Transit Services Feedback
Welcome to the Medicine Hat Transit feedback page, where you can have your say and stay up to date on new and/or proposed changes to transit services.
Over the past several years, Medicine Hat Transit has seen significant pressure on its service delivery model. The first was (is) the need to become more “Financially Fit” and find ways to serve residents more effectively with our resources. The second was the pandemic, which saw a reduced service schedule in response to an even greater reduction in transit ridership. As we now enjoy the absence of pandemic restrictions our transit users are starting to return, but our financial constraints remain.
our feedback is welcome and valued for the initiatives which impact you. Each of the initiatives below has a link allowing you to provide further feedback.
The information on this page will be updated regularly and provide new opportunities for you to have your say.
Transit Customer Service Survey
Projects
Key Dates: August 2024 to December 2024
Details: Construction on the Division Avenue South Rehabilitation project will mean changes to Route 21. These changes will improve service to Medicine Hat High School, Hill Pool, and Safeway. Once construction is complete, Medicine Hat Transit proposes to make these changes permanent on Sunday and weekday evenings. This new route will replace MHTnow On-demand service to this area.
Medicine Hat Transit wants to know how this change may impact users. Take a quick survey below to provide your feedback.
Construction details: The City is upgrading downtown’s water and sewer systems, originally installed in the early 1900s, along 3 Street SE. The goal of these upgrades is to ensure a reliable and future-proof utility network.
During this period, we will reroute our bus services to minimize disruptions and ensure that all passengers can reach their destinations efficiently. For more project information visit, medicinehat.ca/threestreetdowntown.
Key dates: April 22 - September (weather pending). Transit detours will begin April 22 until the construction is complete.
Key dates:
February to April - user consultation and listening.
September - evaluation and development of recommendations.
October - review recommendations with staff and clients/external stakeholders.
December - confirm proposed changes and develop communication tools.
Background: During the pandemic, the riders that were served through Special Transit were particularly vulnerable and their use of this service decreased significantly . As riders gradually return, our goal is to ensure that those who truly need Special Transit have access while providing support for those who can comfortably use our regular system. To achieve this, we are exploring changes such as introducing real-time booking, providing clearer information on system usage, and offering increased support for those who lack knowledge or experience but are willing to use our fixed-route service. We will be engaging with user groups and stakeholders to gather input as we strive to improve our delivery of Special Transit service.
Our goal: To make reasonable adjustments that enhance our efficiency in servicing our clients.
Over the past few months, Medicine Hat Transit has undergone several modifications, such as the implementation of a new fare system, a bus tracking system, and routing changes that differ from pre-covid service. Transit Services intends to provide its passengers with new resources to help them navigate the system more effectively, such as a new ‘Ride Guide’ featuring revised routes, graphics, and instructions on how to use the system. Additionally, a “Rider Alerts” page will be introduced to keep customers informed of any service modifications in real time.
Our goal: To understand how our clients would like to receive Transit updates, promotions, and other communications.
ICIP funding
The City of Medicine Hat has received nearly $2.7 million in federal funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program’s (ICIP) Public Transit Infrastructure Stream, which supports two City and Medicine Hat Transit (MHT) projects.
Details: The majority of ICIP funding has been allocated to the Transit Bus Replacements project, which has an overall cost of $8,060,000; $2,631,186 from the Government of Canada and $5,428,814 from the City of Medicine Hat.
This project will replace 12 aging transit assets; two para-transit buses and ten additional buses.
Timeline: The para-transit buses are tentatively scheduled to arrive in late 2024 or early 2025. The other ten buses are anticipated to be replaced at a rate of two per year from 2025 to 2029.
Details: The remaining $38,400 in federal funding will go towards the Transit Scheduling System project. The City of Medicine Hat will provide $57,600 of the $96,000 project cost.
This project includes the one-time purchase of four years of consulting and scheduling services, along with related data reporting tools. It will utilize the Computer-Aided Dispatch / Automatic Vehicle Location (CAD/AVL) system which connects transit vehicles to scheduling and dispatching software. The software collects vital data used by dispatchers for the purpose of improving the quality and efficiency of the City’s existing public transit.
Timeline: We anticipate this software will be operational and in use in advance of the annual September shift schedule change.