Across Canada, a growing number of transit agencies are making bold moves to modernize
their systems by replacing underused fixed bus routes with flexible, on-demand alternatives
— and the shift is gaining traction for good reason.

In Edmonton, four traditional bus routes running through core neighbourhoods have been
discontinued due to persistently low ridership. Instead, these areas will be served by
on-demand transit, giving residents access to more frequent, flexible travel options —
without the burden of adhering to infrequent, fixed schedules.

“This conversion to on-demand service provides a more consistent span of service
during almost all time periods and provides more flexibility for transit passengers to
navigate around the areas,” explained Andrew Gregory, Manager of Planning at ETS.
The decision not only responds to community feedback but also frees up valuable resources
for high-demand routes across the city. Those resources will be reallocated to crosstown
corridors and fast growing neighborhoods.

Meanwhile, in Fredericton, the City is applying similar logic to its southernmost
neighbourhoods, as part of a strategic plan to optimize transit delivery. Public consultations
held in 2024 revealed strong support for modern, adaptable solutions over traditional fixed
routes with low occupancy.

“This allows us to better use our resources while still ensuring access to public
transit for those who rely on it,” said Coun. Bruce Grandy, chair of Fredericton’s
mobility committee.

As the line between public transit and mobility-as-a-service continues to blur, it’s clear that
flexibility and efficiency are now driving the route map. And for a growing number of
Canadian cities, on-demand is not just a backup plan — it’s becoming the smarter first
choice.

Sources:

● https://edmonton.taproot.news/briefs/2025/04/10/several-central-neighbourhoods-
to-see-on-demand-buses-replace-regular-service

● https://ftonindependent.substack.com/p/fredericton-transit-debuts-on-demand