Exploring Edmonton: Understanding Bus Transfers And Their Durations

If you're new to Edmonton, you might be unsure how long a bus transfer lasts. Edmonton's bus system allows for unlimited travel for 90 minutes with a transfer, including return trips. This means that as long as you board your next bus before the time on your transfer expires, you're good to go. It's important to keep your transfer as proof of payment until you leave the paid area at your destination. So, if you're planning to take multiple buses, be sure to keep your transfer handy and keep an eye on the time!

Bus transfers last for 90 minutes

If you're new to Edmonton, it's worth knowing that bus transfers last for 90 minutes. This allows for boarding privileges, including return trips, for 90 minutes from the time of issue. This expiry time is indicated on the transfer where it is torn by the bus operator.

If you're planning to use the buses a lot, it's worth buying tickets from a convenience store, such as 7-Eleven. Here, you can get 10 tickets for $27, compared to $3.50 per cash ticket. Tickets generally last until the end of the following year, but due to Covid, some have 2022 expiry dates, so be sure to check before you buy.

If you're planning more than 37 trips in a month, you can buy a monthly pass for $100. This gives you unlimited travel for the whole month. If you're a student, a pass may be included in your tuition, so be sure to check with your Student Union.

If you're planning more than four trips in a single day, a day pass for $10.50 is a good option. This is also a family pass, valid for two adults and two youths (24 and under).

Each "transfer" is unlimited travel for 90 minutes (some drivers give 2 hours) including round trips. The time on the transfer is the expiry time. For a bus, as long as you board before the time on your transfer expires, you're good to go.

If you're starting your journey on an LRT, your validated ticket is your transfer and has an expiry time printed on it. Show this to the driver when you board the bus. If you start on a bus, you'll be given a transfer, which is valid for any other bus or LRT.

You can buy tickets from 7-Eleven

In Edmonton, you can buy bus tickets from 7-Eleven. This is a good option if you plan to use the buses a lot. At 7-Eleven, you can get 10 tickets for $27, compared to the $3.50 cash fare. These tickets generally last until the end of the following year, but due to Covid, some have 2022 expiry dates, so be sure to check before you buy.

There are also other options for purchasing bus tickets in Edmonton. You can buy them online, at the Edmonton Service Centre, or at sales outlets located throughout the city. You can also buy an Arc card, which is the city's electronic fare payment system. Arc cards can be purchased online, at all LRT stations, or in select transit centres. These machines accept cash, debit, or credit.

If you plan to use the bus more than four times in a single day, a day pass for $10.50 is a good option. This pass is also valid for two adults and two youths (24 and under). If you plan to use the bus more than 37 times in a month, you can buy a pass for $100, which offers unlimited travel for the whole month.

If you are a university student, a pass may be included in your tuition. Be sure to check with your Student Union to see if you are eligible.

Monthly passes are $100

Edmonton Bus Transfers

In Edmonton, a bus transfer allows unlimited travel for 90 minutes, including return trips. This means that you can use a single fare to transfer between buses and the LRT. The expiry time of the transfer is indicated on the slip, which is torn by the bus operator.

If you are planning to use the buses a lot, you can save money by buying tickets in advance from a place like 7-Eleven. A book of 10 tickets costs $27, compared to $3.50 per ticket when paying with cash. Tickets usually last until the end of the following year, but due to Covid, some have 2022 expiry dates, so be sure to check before you buy.

If you plan to make more than 37 trips in a month, it is more cost-effective to buy a monthly pass for $100. This pass is valid for unlimited travel for the whole month. However, it is not advisable to buy this pass after the first of the month.

For university students, a pass is typically included in your tuition fees and can be collected from your Student Union. If you are a low-income earner, you can apply for the leisure access pass, which offers monthly bus passes for $35 or $50 per month, as well as access to various services at recreation centres.

Other Fare Options

If you are planning more than 4 trips in a single day, a day pass costs $10.50 and is valid for 2 adults and 2 youths (24 and under).

If you are a senior (65 years and older), you can purchase an annual pass. Residents of Edmonton who are 65 or older also qualify for a free monthly pass.

Children 12 and under can ride for free when accompanied by a fare-paying rider.

Day passes are $10.50

Travelling by bus in Edmonton

Edmonton offers a range of flexible transit fares, passes, and ticket types to help you get around the city. If you're planning on taking four or more trips in a day, a day pass is the best option for you. Day passes are $10.50 and are valid for two adults and two youths (aged 24 and under).

Where to buy

You can buy a day pass from the machines that sell LRT tickets. These machines are located in transit centres and LRT stations. You can also buy them online at the ETS Online Store, or at the Edmonton Service Centre and at sales outlets located throughout the city.

How to use

When boarding a bus, you must display your pass to the driver. If you are transferring to another bus, show your paper transfer to the next driver. If you are transferring to the train, simply keep the transfer on your person in case you are asked to show it. Transfers are valid for 90 minutes, which is indicated at the top of the transfer.

Other fares and passes

If you plan to use the buses a lot, you can buy 10 tickets from a place like 7-Eleven for $27. Tickets are generally valid until the end of the following year. If you are planning more than 37 trips in a month, you can buy a monthly pass for $100, which allows unlimited travel for the whole month.

Arc card

Arc is the Edmonton region's electronic fare payment system. You can buy an Arc card online, at LRT stations, or at select transit centres. You can then add money to your account—as little as $4 at a time. Register your card online to protect your funds if it's lost or stolen.

Leisure Access Pass

If you didn't earn much money last year, you may qualify for the Leisure Access Pass. This gives you access to monthly bus passes for $35 or $50 per month, as well as a range of services at recreation centres.

Students get a pass included in their tuition

In Edmonton, students enrolled in participating post-secondary institutions can obtain a Universal Transit Pass (U-Pass) as part of their tuition. This pass offers unlimited access to local regular transit services as well as regional transit services within the Edmonton region. The U-Pass is available through the Arc card, which can be used to tap on and off buses and the LRT.

The U-Pass is valid for a four-month semester, and a new pass is required for each semester: September to December, January to April, and May to August. The pass is issued by the participating institutions, and students must have a valid student ID with them when travelling.

The following post-secondary institutions in Edmonton participate in the U-Pass program:

• Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT)
• University of Alberta
• Concordia University

In addition to the U-Pass, students in Edmonton can also benefit from other transit pass options. From September to June, students are recommended to purchase monthly passes from their schools, as many Edmonton Catholic and Edmonton Public Schools offer discounted passes.

For Kindergarten to Grade 12 students, Edmonton Public Schools offer unlimited-use transit passes, including evenings, weekends, and statutory holidays. These passes can be purchased through the child's school each month.

With the various transit pass options available, students in Edmonton can easily access affordable transportation for their daily commute and explore everything the city has to offer.

Frequently asked questions