City unveils statutory holiday transit service pilot project

The City of Medicine Hat has introduced a pilot project that will provide transit service on three statutory holidays in 2026, starting Monday, Feb. 16 for Family Day.

The pilot project will assess ridership levels and the benefits of providing service on statutory holidays. The pilot has been made possible through resources previously approved in the 2025-26 budget. It was initiated in response to rider requests for statutory holiday service, and is intended to determine whether usage supports the financial commitment required.

This initiative highlights the commitment of Medicine Hat Transit to maximizing the value and quality of the service we provide, while also being fiscally responsible. Having played a key role in launching this pilot through their feedback, riders now have the opportunity to influence the long-term approach to statutory holiday transit service through their usage.

– Gordon Dykstra, Manager of Transit Services, City of Medicine Hat

The first two statutory holidays were overwhelmingly chosen by transit users in a 2025 survey:

• Family Day – Monday, Feb. 16
• Canada Day – Wednesday, July 1

The third and final statutory holiday will be based on use over the first two days, including the usage patterns of riders taking advantage of holiday service.

The following three days will be considered for the final statutory holiday in the pilot:

• National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Wednesday, Sept. 30
• Remembrance Day – Wednesday, Nov. 11
• Boxing Day – Saturday, Dec. 26

Medicine Hat Transit will offer its Sunday service hours (8:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.) on the three statutory holidays included in the pilot.

There will be no dedicated on-demand or adaptive transit services within this pilot project. However, standard transit buses are wheelchair friendly and able to accommodate those with accessibility needs.

Pilot project results will help Medicine Hat Transit better understand community need relative to statutory holiday service moving forward.

For media inquiries, please contact:
media@medicinehat.ca