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By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

accessible buses

Red Deer County gets $3 million from Ottawa for new transit project

Sep 20, 2025 | 8:00 AM

A handful of rural communities around Alberta are getting a much-needed influx of dollars to support local transit needs, including Red Deer County.

Announced Friday in Leduc County, Ottawa is investing more than $8 million, $3 million of which will support the purchase of accessible, mini, and standard-sized diesel buses for fixed route service between Red Deer County and the Hamlet of Gasoline Alley. Another $1 million is coming from other sources for that community.

Elsewhere, the Town of Whitecourt will purchase additional buses and supporting infrastructure to improve their transit service.

Plus, Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission, the County of St. Paul, Drumheller, Stoney-Nakoda First Nation, Town of Olds, and Westlock County will use funding to complete transit and feasibility studies and exploratory research assessing demand and existing routes and services, according to a release from the Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities.

“Working with our partners and investing in tailored transit solutions is paramount for our government to ensuring that communities across Alberta and Canada are well-connected,” says Eleanor Olszewski, minister of emergency management and community resilience, and minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada.

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“The projects announced today will help purchase more vehicles for service and facilitate research and planning to better understand local transit needs, ultimately improving public transportation for rural Albertan communities.”

Outgoing Red Deer County Mayor Jim Wood also applauded the announcement:

“This funding represents a significant milestone in supporting rural transit by establishing a fixed route service in Red Deer County,” he stated.

“It will unlock new opportunities for community growth by connecting residents, strengthening local economies, and fostering a more inclusive future for our region.”

In addition to the others, funding will support Leduc Transit, an intermunicipal transit partnership between Leduc County and the City of Leduc, with the purchase of seven local buses and one commuter bus to replace the existing fleet and expand services offered.

Funding is through the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF), with municipal and other partners contributing $2,246,146 towards their respective projects.