A city transit route along the South Hill will return on Jan. 4 to scheduled stops. The route was among several central ones to move to an on-demand service in 2020.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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Medicine Hat Transit is returning to a set-time evening and weekend service on a central route to the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital, expanding additional service in Ross Glen area.
Three years ago, the department moved to on-demand service on several routes during non-peak times as a cost-cutting measure during times on low ridership.
This week, the department said it would return set-route runs on Route 21 starting Jan. 4.
That route comprises the South Hill along First Street to the hospital and back through residential areas south of downtown.
Route 21 will operate between 6:45 a.m. and 10:45 p.m. on weekdays, and between 8:15 a.m. and 7:15 p.m. on weekends.
At that time, “On Demand” service will no longer serve stops on the route, but include other central locations.
A relatively new route, No. 56 serving Southlands, will also offer earlier morning service, beginning at 6:30 a.m., in the new year.
Holiday schedule
Busses will navigate the Holidays and weekend schedules by operating on holiday hours on the weekend of Dec. 23 and 24, from 8:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m., then offer no service on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, the transit department has advised.
Holiday hours of operation will also be in effect from Dec. 27-29, as well as New Year’s Eve, before closing again on New Year’s Day.
