Medicine Hat Transit
 | |
| Area served | Medicine Hat, AB |
| Founded | July 1, 1970 as Medicine Hat Transit System (from Medicine Hat Transportation Company) |
| Fleet size | 19 (Conventional bus) 12 (Special Transit) |
| Number of routes | 9 |
| Ridership | |
Medicine Hat Transit is the provider of public transportation in the city of Medicine Hat, Alberta.
History
Service began on July 1, 1970, replacing the Medicine Hat Transportation Company.
The current transit garage was completed in 1979. The old garage, a World War II-era hangar at the Medicine Hat Regional Airport, was condemned and demolished the same year.
The first wheelchair-accessible bus, 780, entered service in 1985. It introduced a prototype of the 'flame' livery.
Construction of the transit terminal started in 1986 and opened in early 1988.
In 1987, the 'flame' livery was adopted. It was first applied to 754 after its conversion to methanol fuel.
Special Transit as it exists today started on March 16, 1992.
In 2008, a new 'wave' livery was introduced on 781-783 (2nd).
The transit garage was expanded and made fully CNG ready between 2013 and 2015. This nearly doubled the garage's capacity.
On September 5, 2017, Medicine Hat Transit revised their new route network to a system with two core routes and three feeder routes. This replaced the previous fifteen route system. On September 18, 2017, Medicine Hat City Council approved a motion to revert back to the previous route network, with the revised network taking effect on November 27, 2017.[3]
Starting in April, 2019, Medicine Hat Transit introduced GPS tracking on all buses. This service is run through DoubleMap.
On September 18, 2019, the Medicine Hat Sunshine Trolley opened. This is a tourist shuttle that visits various attractions throughout the city, the tourist information centre, various hotels, and downtown. This service is run separately from Medicine Hat Transit, but both are run by the city. This bus is driven by a Prairie Sprinter driver on one day, and a Medicine Hat Transit driver on the next.
COVID-19
On March 30, 2020, Medicine Hat Transit announced that, effective immediately, all able-bodied passengers were required to board via the rear doors only. No fare would be collected. Like many other transit systems, every other seat is taped off in order to promote social distancing.
Effective April 6, 2020, weekday service follows the non-peak Saturday schedule; weekend service, Sunday schedule.
Operators in the Medicine Hat area
- Medicine Hat Ferry - A ferry that ran across the South Saskatchewan River between 1883 and 1908. Replaced by the Finlay Bridge.
- Redcliff Bus Lines - Suburban bus service between Medicine Hat and Redcliff, AB (1932-?)
- Blair's Bus Lines - Transit service in Medicine Hat, ran from the 1930's until 1952.
- Medicine Hat Transit, Limited - Took over Blair's Bus Lines in 1952, renamed in 1953.
- Medicine Hat Transportation Company - City bus service. Service started on 2 November, 1953. Acquired by the City of Medicine Hat in June, 1970 and became Medicine Hat Transit.
- Highway 3 Connector - Shuttle service from Redcliff to Lethbridge, with stops in Medicine Hat, Seven Persons, Bow Island, Taber, Coaldale and other towns in between. Operated by Southland Transportation
Alternative Energy Program
Methanol
See also: Project MILE
Medicine Hat Transit started its original alternative fuel program in 1986, as a part of Project MILE (Methanol In Large Engines). Between 1987 and 1994, eight buses were converted to run entirely on methanol fuel.
In 1987, two New Looks were converted to methanol by Medicine Hat Transit. These were the very first methanol buses in Medicine Hat. The six MCI Classic buses ordered in 1989 and 1990 were converted to methanol before delivery.
This program was cancelled in 1991, after six employees experienced effects of methane poisoning [4]. All methanol buses were converted back to diesel, and the last bus ran on methanol in December of 1994.
Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
In 2013, the city's current program was put into effect. The first factory-new CNG buses arrived in 2014 and entered service in winter, 2014-15. Come spring, ETS's CNG trial buses were retired and sold to the Hat. They entered service in July, 2015.
At this point, the conventional bus fleet was 50% CNG. The original plan was to have it be completely CNG by 2020, but this plan was cancelled when no other CNG fueling stations had opened in the city. Instead, transit decided on making the fleet be 2/3 CNG. This way, service can be achieved by putting diesel special transit buses into service (in place of the alternate fuel buses) in the event of a long-term fueling problem.
The November 5, 2018 budget saw 6 additional CNG buses ordered, along with 5 other diesel buses; these for replacement of all current conventional diesel buses.
Routes
Medicine Hat Transit 'Ride Guide' (route maps and schedules), updated March, 2019.
See also: List of Medicine Hat Transit Bus Stops
Current routes
- 10 - Northeast Crescent Heights
- 11 - Northwest Crescent Heights
- 20 - River Flats
- 21 - Hospital
- 22 - South Hill
- 30 - Dunmore Road
- 46 - Southview / College
- 53 - Ross Glen
- 61 - Southridge
Since September, 2020, Medicine Hat Transit has operated two on-demand transit service zones on evenings and weekends:
- North, replacing routes 10, 11, and the former route 12.
- Central, replacing routes 20, 21, and 22.
Special Routes
- Holy Family Parish shuttle - Every Sunday
Former routes
Current System
Routes with coloured numbers last ran on April 3, 2020. Routes 12 and 51 (Ross Glen/Mall) last ran on September 2, 2017 with the system redesign and did not resume service after the redesign was undone.
- 12 - North-South direct.
- 31 - Dunmore Road
- 40 - Downtown via College (formerly College/Downtown)
- 41 - Strachan Bay via College (formerly College/Mall)
- 50 - Ross Glen
- 50 - Ross Glen Northbound
- 51 - Ross Glen Southbound
- 51 - Ross Glen/Mall
- 60 - Southridge
- 62 - Southlands
- Notre Dame school special - Weekdays during the school year. Cancelled after the 2018-19 school year.
- Echo Dale Park shuttle (also known as Medicine Hat Beach Bound Bus), seasonal. Cancelled after the 2017 season.
2017 Network
These were identified with a number, colour, and a shape. The destination signs showed service areas (ex. South Hill/NW Crescent Heights/Tower Estates/Light Industrial/3 Green).
- Primary routes:
- 1 Blue (circle)
- 2 Red (square)
- Secondary (feeder) routes:
- 3 Green (triangle)
- 4 Purple (diamond)
- 5 Orange (pentagon)
1980's/1990's
Incomplete, found in photos.
- College/Northwest Crescent Heights
- Cypress Way
- Dunmore Road
- Flats/Kensington
- Hospital
- Ross Glen
- Shopper's Express (later became Dunmore Road)
- South Ridge
1993
As appeared on the rollsign of 769.
- Airport
- College/Northwest Crescent Heights
- Dunmore Road/Northeast Crescent Heights
- Hospital
- Kensington/Flats
- Stampede
- Ross Glen/Southridge
2008
From a 2008 edit on this page.
Peak:
- Crescent Heights/Downtown
- Crescent Heights B
- Hospital
- Flats
- Kensington
- Dunmore Road
- College
- Ross Glen
- South Ridge
Off-Peak:
- 1A Northeast Crescent Heights
- 1B Flats and Northwest Crescent Heights
- 2A Hospital and Riverside
- 2B South Hill
- 3A Downtown to MH College/MH Mall/Wal-Mart
- 3B MH Mall/Crestwood/Downtown
- 4A South Ridge to MH Mall/MH College
- 4B Ross Glen to MH Mall
Fares
As of June 15, 2020, a temporary fare of $1 per trip will be charged. No transfers are available, and all passes are discontinued.
Fare free service ran from April 6 to June 14, 2020.
Pre-pandemic fares:
| Age Group | Transfer | Monthly Pass | Special Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-5 | Free | Free | Not eligible |
| 6-17 | $3.25 | $38.75 | $3.25 one way. Only available to ages 16+ |
| 18-64 | $3.25 | $71.25 | $3.25 one way |
| 65+ | $3.25 | $43.75 | $3.25 one way |
Facilities
Office
- Address: 333 6 Ave. SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 0H2
- Email: mhtransit@medicinehat.ca
- Fax: 403-527-5844
- Phone:
- General Inquiries: 403-529-8214
- Transit Information: 403-525-8899
- Transit Manager: 403-529-8216
Downtown Terminal
- Address: 333 6 Ave. SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 0H2
Garage
- Address: 460 Spencer Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1Y7
Storage Compound
- Address: 209 Marshall Avenue SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1Y8
Conventional Bus Roster
Includes units with the internal fleet numbers P07**.
Current Conventional Roster
All units are equipped with bike racks.
| Fleet Number | Thumbnail | Built | Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Transmission | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 743-747 | -a.jpg){kind=spacer}
|
2019 | Grande West | Vicinity 30' | Cummins B6.7 | ZF 6AP1020B | |
| 748-753 | -a.jpg){kind=spacer}
|
2019 | Grande West | Vicinity 30' CNG | Cummins Westport B6.7N | ZF 6AP1020B | |
| 754-759 | 
|
2014 | NFI | XN40 | Cummins Westport ISL G | Allison B400R6 | |
| 760-761 | 
|
2012 | NFI | C40LFR | Cummins Westport ISL G | Allison B400R6 |
|
Retired Conventional Roster
Sorted in order of acquisition.
School buses ran both on regular routes and school runs contracted by the Medicine Hat Public School Division No. 76.
Special Transit
Includes units with the internal fleet numbers P06**.
Note: special transit buses are occasionally found on regular routes if there are no spares left.
Current Special Transit Roster
| Fleet Number | Thumbnail | Built | Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Transmission | Livery | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 715 | 
|
2011 | Dodge | Grand Caravan | 3.8L Flex Fuel | 6 speed automatic | 
|
|
| 716 | 
|
Dodge | Grand Caravan | 3.8L Flex Fuel | 6 speed automatic |
|
| |
| 720-726 | -a.jpg){kind=spacer}
|
2019 | Ram Trucks New England Wheels |
ProMaster Frontrunner |
|
| ||
| 731, 733-734 | 
|
2013 | Chevrolet Arboc |
4500 SOM28D |
GMC Duramax 6.6L | GM 6 speed automatic |
|
|
| 735 | 
|
2014 | Chevrolet Arboc |
4500 SOM28D |
GMC Duramax 6.6L | GM 6 speed automatic |
|
|
| 736 | 
|
2015 | Chevrolet Arboc |
4500 SOM23D |
GMC Duramax 6.6L | GM 6 speed automatic |
|
|
Retired Special Transit Roster
- The first dial-a-bus service started in 1953, under the Medicine Hat Transportation Company.
- Gloribus service ran from the 1970 to 1992. It was wheelchair accessible. This service was also sometimes referred to as Glory Bus.
- Special Transit service in its current form started on March 16, 1992.
Notes:
- This roster is sorted in the order of acquisition by the city.
| Fleet Number | Thumbnail | Built | Retired | Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Transmission | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 714 | 1970's | 1990's | Grumman | 23-passenger minibus | 350 Cu. In. V8 Gasoline | 3-speed manual |
| |
| 715-716 | 1980 | 1980, 1986 | ? | Passenger Van |
| |||
| 717 | 1970's | 1985 | ? |
| ||||
| 718 | 1981 | 1986 | ? | Passenger Van | ||||
| 780 (1st) | 
|
1985 | 2000 | OBI | Orion II (02.501) |
GMC 8.2L | Allison AT-545 |
|
| 781-782 | 
|
1986 | 2002 | OBI | Orion II (02.501) |
GMC 8.2L | Allison AT-545 | |
| 783 | 1987 | 2005 | OBI | Orion II (02.501) |
GMC 8.2L | Allison AT-545 | ||
| 785 | 
|
1991 | 2005 | OBI | Orion II (02.502) |
Navistar T444E | Allison AT-545 | |
| 769 | 
|
1993 | 2006 | OBI | Orion II (02.501) |
Navistar T444E | Allison AT-545 | |
| 771 | 
|
1997 | 2006 | Champion | Solo | Cummins B5.9 | Allison MT-643 |
|
| 772-774 | 
|
1998 | 2006-2011 | Champion | Solo | Cummins B5.9 | Allison MT-643 | |
| 775-779, 780 (2nd) | 
|
1999 | 2006-2011 | Champion | Solo | Cummins B5.9 | Allison MT-643 | |
| 730 (1st) | 
|
2000 | 2012 | Ford | E-350 Van (extended body) | Ford | Ford | |
| 731 | 
|
2000 | 2010 | Ford Overland |
ELF 125 | Ford Powerstroke V8 7.3 L 235 hp | Ford 4R100 4 speed | |
| 732-733 | 
|
2002 | 2010 | Ford Overland |
ELF 125 | Ford Powerstroke V8 7.3 L 235 hp | Ford 4R100 4 speed | |
| 734-737 | 
|
2005 | 2012 | Ford Overland |
ELF 125 | Ford Powerstroke V8 7.3 L 235 hp | Ford TorqShift 5R110 5 speed | |
| 728-729 | 
|
2005 | 2016-2018 | Ford Corbeil |
E-450 F158DWCM5 |
Ford Powerstroke V8 | Ford TorqShift 5R110 5 speed | |
| 720-721 | 
|
2009 | 2020 | Chevrolet Arboc |
4500 SOM28D |
GMC Duramax 6.6L | GM 6 speed automatic |
|
| 722-725, 730 | 
|
2010 | 2020 | Chevrolet Arboc |
4500 SOM28D |
GMC Duramax 6.6L | GM 6 speed automatic |
|
| 726-727 | 
|
2009 | 2015 | IC Bus Goshen |
3200 Sentinel HD 3200 |
International MaxxForce 7 | Allison 2200 PTS |
|
| 732 | 
|
2012 | 2022 | Chevrolet Arboc |
4500 SOM28D |
GMC Duramax 6.6L | GM 6 speed automatic |
Demonstrator Roster
| Fleet Number | Thumbnail | Built | Demonstration Date | Manufacturer | Model | Engine | Transmission | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 10/1983 | January 11-14, 1984 | GMDD | TC40-102N Classic | Detroit Diesel 6V71N | Allison V730 |
| |
| (No number) | April to May, 2016 | New Flyer Industries | MD30 MiDi |
Cummins ISB 6.7 | Allison B300R |
| ||
| (No number) | 2016 | August 20, 2019 | Grande West | Vicinity 35' | Cummins ISB 6.7 | ZF 6AP1020B |
|
Trivia
Numbering system
See also: City of Medicine Hat numbering system
- The 700-719 range are support vehicles. Units 715 and 716 are also used for Special Transit duties.
- The 720-739 range are Special Transit units.
- The 740-789 range are heavy duty buses used primarily on regular routes contracted/special services (such as the Notre Dame school run).
- Presumably, the 790-799 range is either reserved for trailers or used as overflow, but because only two units are known to exist in this range, it is difficult to determine with any kind of certainty.
See Also
- Medicine Hat Ferry - A ferry that ran across the South Saskatchewan River between 1893 and 1908. Replaced by the Finlay Bridge.
- City of Medicine Hat - Other buses operated by the City of Medicine Hat.
- Medicine Hat Transit Support Vehicles
- Medicine Hat Transportation Company - Predecessor to Medicine Hat Transit
- Redcliff Bus Lines - service between Medicine Hat and Redcliff, started 1932 and ended in the 1950's.
- Blair's Bus Lines - predecessor to the Medicine Hat Transportation Company.
- Highway 3 Connector - Shuttle service between Redcliff and Lethbridge, operated by Southland Transportation.
External links
References
- ↑ https://www.medicinehat.ca/home/showdocument?id=13585 Transit Improvements Background. Published August, 2017, retrieved October 31, 2019.
- ↑ https://medicinehat.ca/Home/ShowDocument?id=5055 Public Services Committee Meeting. Published May 14, 2013, retrieved October 26, 2019.
- ↑ Medicine Hat Transit Reverts Back - News Release, Oct 31, 2017, Medicine Hat Transit
- ↑ https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/court-rules-against-sick-transit-workers-1.251277 Court Rules Against Sick Transit Workers, published September 15, 2000, retrieved September 26, 2019
- ↑ FS18-106 Supply Seven (7) new Special Transit Units, City of Medicine Hat, retrieved 11/03/2018.
- ↑ https://www.medicinehat.ca/home/showdocument?id=8223 Capital Summary New and Replacement Vehicles. Published 2014, retrieved October 25, 2019.
- ↑ https://medicinehatnews.com/news/local-news/2019/07/27/dunmore-road-car-bus-crash-hospitalizes-woman/ Dunmore Road Car/Bus Crash Hospitalizes Woman. Published July 27, 2019, retrieved October 12, 2019.
- ↑ Hatters Test Transit Bus. Published January 11, 1984 by the Medicine Hat News, retrieved December 10, 2019. Courtesy of the Esplanade archives, accession number M2017.03.02, box 1, 1984 file
- ↑ https://www.medicine-hat.ca/Home/Components/News/News/2541/30?seldept=32&arch=1&__ncforminfo=nWL-XaoeTTUXaidZCnBsaMxJO0_aUb_q2jVSzMJJoQNheJmDVdU854Ds7VwBQjtVmTbLk2v8QgvsOVpzxM3vrjT4vTbDN3_4jHnd2tzwmjw= MH Transit Test Drive New Flyer MiDi Bus. Published March 30, 2016, retrieved October 30, 2019.
 | |
| Buses | |
| Active | |
|---|---|
| Retired | |
| Public Transit in Medicine Hat | |
| Current Operators |
City of Medicine Hat, Medicine Hat Transit, Southland Transportation |
| Former Operators |
Blair's Bus Lines (private) |