On-demand transit is a ride-sharing service that operates ‘curb-to-curb.’ This means the van will stop at the curb next to the address where the request originated. Riders must be waiting at the curb when the van arrives. The app will provide expected arrival times so riders can be prepared. Unlike a taxi, the van will not wait for an individual to come out of their home or business, nor will the vehicle pull up on driveways.
The transit driver is authorized to proceed directly to the nearest emergency facility (Okotoks Health and Wellness Centre) without completing existing trips.
On-demand transit is similar to Uber or other ride-hailing companies. You will need to create a user account or provide information to the call centre so they can create a user account on your behalf. You will not be able to book a ride without a user account. You will book your trip either through a mobile app, online using the website or by calling 587-534-0510. You will be asked to provide a pick-up address, the time you would like to be picked-up and where you are traveling. If you want to complete a return trip, and you know what time you need to return, we recommend that you book it at the same time as your original ride to ensure you have a booking in place. You can book your trips up to three weeks in advance.
You can book your ride (up to three weeks in advance) by using the Okotoks Transit App, book online at the same website or by calling 587-534-0510.
Effective January 1, 2022, the service will operate between 5:30 am to 11:30 pm, Monday to Friday; Saturday, Sunday & holidays (except Christmas Day) will operation between 6:00am to 11:30pm.
As of January 1, 2023, transit fares are as follows. Remember that the more rides you purchase in advance, the less you pay! Thank you for continuing to use the Okotoks On-Demand Transit service!
- Single Trip Fare (online only) - $3.50
- 10 tickets (paper & online) - $31.50
- 25 tickets (online only) - $74.50
- 50 tickets (online only) - $140.00
- 75 tickets (online only) - $197.00
- 100 tickets (online only) - $245.00
- 5 years & under – FREE
Note: You need to create a user account on the Okotoks Transit App prior to purchasing bulk etickets. This will allow your e-tickets to be linked to your account. The email address you use to purchase your e-tickets should be the same email address as you use to set up your app account. Once you purchase your bulk e-tickets, there will be a 15 minute delay (during regular service hours, 6am-11:30pm, Mon-Sat) for the purchase to show up as credits on your account. Bulk e-tickets purchased outside of regular services hours will be reflected in your account 15 minutes after the commencement of the next regular service hours. If you have any question or concerns around your bulk e-ticket balance, please contact the call centre at 587-534-0510.
This ride-sharing service uses a cashless system. You may purchase single ride tickets on the app only. The driver cannot accept cash, debit or credit cards.
Books of 10 paper tickets are available at the following locations only: Okotoks Municipal & Recreation Centres, Medicine Shoppe, Save-On-Foods, Safeway and Sobeys. You may pay for these tickets using cash, debit, or credit cards.
You can purchase a prepaid Visa credit card from a local store and use that to buy your bulk e-tickets.
Bulk ride credit purchasing is available using the Okotoks Transit app. Once transit users login to their account, purchases can be made using a credit or debit card that has a Visa or MasterCard logo.
Each time bulk ride credits are purchased with the app, a $3.25 per trip credit will be reflected in the user account. The actual charge to the users’ credit or debit card will correspond with the number of bulk tickets purchased, for example, 100 tickets will be $210. All fare pricing is available on the Transit website or in the app.
An added benefit is that users will now be able to use the app to see their remaining bulk ride credits.
Car Seats
For children 40 lbs (18 kg) or less and under 6 years of age, the following applies:
Children 40 lbs (18 kg) or less and under 6 years of age are required to travel in a child seat and will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian. A child over 6yrs old can travel alone but it is extremely important that someone is there to meet the vehicle at pick up and drop off.
One fully-adjustable car seat is provided on each transit vehicle. The car seat must be booked in addition to booking the child’s ride. If a car seat is unavailable, that will be indicated at the time of booking. In this case, the parent/guardian is responsible for bringing their own appropriate car seat with the seat belt locking clip (see image below).
In either instance, it is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to ensure the following:
- Child is properly secured into the seat
- Car seat is correctly installed in the vehicle
- Car seat is positioned correctly (front or rear-facing)
Note that the Town's new transit vehicles are equipped with universal anchoring systems.
For more information, please visit the Alberta Health Services website by clicking the button below.
Booster Seats
Health and transportation experts agree that booster seats reduce the risk of transportation-related injury to children. When children under 1.45m/4’7” travel without a booster seat, the seat belt can ride high on a child’s belly and neck and can lead to serious internal injuries in a crash. For more information, please visit the Alberta Health Services website by clicking the button below.
Booster seats are provided on the transit vehicle and all children under 1.45m/4’7” are required to use them. If you have booked a ride but are not sure if you child meets the height requirements, there is a marker inside the van to show you how tall your child needs to be.
Note: Strollers must be folded and stored during your trip.
Large items can be brought onto the vehicle and must be stored in the rear of the vehicle provided space is available. If you have bulky items taking up extra space, please book an extra seat for them. For example, if your group consists of 2 adults and 1 piece of luggage, please indicate 3 passengers when booking. You are responsible for loading and unloading all personal belongings (except personal mobility devices such as walkers or folding wheelchairs). Any items cannot be placed on a seat, if other customers require the seat, in front of entrances or block aisles.
All vehicles are wheelchair accessible. There is an option to select this service when booking a ride. If required, the driver will assist you in entering/exiting the vehicle.
Users can book a bike rack using the Okotoks Transit app. Please note that the maximum bike tire size is 27.5 inches in diameter with a 2.6 inch tire.
Domestic animals are permitted on vehicles either on-leash or in a travel kennel and must be under the care and control of the owner.
When using the app, it will provide an updated ETA as the time gets closer to your ride. You will also receive a notification when your vehicle has arrived. Updates are sent by text through the Okotoks Transit app. You also have the option to use the mobile app to track your vehicle’s location in real-time enroute to your location. Remember that this is a shared transportation service so wait and travel times may vary. The vehicle can carry up to eight passengers, so routes may not be direct as the driver picks-up/drops-off other customers along the way.
When booking your ride via telephone, the dispatcher will provide approximate pick up and arrival times. The dispatcher will create your user account prior to booking your ride.
In order to provide timely service to all riders, it is not possible for the vehicle to wait. All vehicles must maintain the schedule for picking up and dropping off passengers. The maximum time the vehicle can wait is one minute.
Refunds will not be provided due to a no-show/missed ride.
In the unlikely event that the transit vehicle does not arrive, you will receive a ride credit on your account.
When you book a ride, you are making a commitment to the system and the driver as a schedule is created to accommodate your trip. If you are not able to take the ride, we advise you to cancel as soon as possible. Excessive last-minute cancellations or no- shows can result in the suspension of your user account. If you’ve paid by credit card through the app and cancel a ride prior to boarding, you will receive an account credit in the app, not a refund to your credit card.
Location details are visible only when the van is enroute to your location. You can track the van in real-time on the map when it’s nearer to your pick-up time.
Please contact the call centre at 587-534-0510.
This service is a shared-ride service. Routes will be created based on several customers being picked-up and dropped-off within the same time. There may be multiple customers traveling to different places throughout the community in the same vehicle. This shared-ride model improves access for customers to the service while reducing costs to the Town.
The on-demand service is only available within the developed Okotoks boundary. There are no plans at this time to expand the service beyond this.
The Community Access Program is separate from the on-demand service. There will be no changes to the Community Access Program with the launch of the on-demand service.
The on-demand transit service will be available within the developed town boundary; this includes new neighbourhoods like D’Arcy and Wedderburn. See map below for service area.
Throughout various public participation opportunities discussing the future of Okotoks, (2014 Community Vision, Active Transportation Strategy, Environmental Master Plan, Sustainability Plan and Municipal Development Plan), residents have consistently indicated that some form of public transit is a priority.
Okotoks Town Council has made a commitment to provide residents with sustainable transportation options. The on-demand transit system helps to reach the target, established in the Active Transportation Strategy, to increase active transportation modes, from transit to cycling, by 25% by the end of 2025. This new service will provide another option for residents to connect to their community in a sustainable way, and increase the ability for all residents to move more freely around town, including youth, seniors, those with disabilities, as well as residents who prefer not to use a personal vehicle.
Most transit services have specific routes, bus stops and schedules. Buses must continue on the route even if there are no passengers. With the on-demand service, passengers must request transportation in advance, and the van will stop at the curb next to their location. There is no set schedule and the vehicle can be parked until there is a request for service, saving money and decreasing GHG emissions.
As part of the planning work, the Town considered many options to deliver public transit to the community. This included an assessment of fixed route versus dynamic (on-demand) transit services. The results indicated that the most cost-efficient means of providing public transit service available to all areas within the town boundary was through an on-demand model.
Although on-demand transit is relatively new in Canada, it is used extensively in Europe and the US. In Alberta, the City of Airdrie has been operating an on-demand service since 2017 and the City of Calgary and Town of Cochrane have recently begun on-demand services in their communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
