Municipal Matters: A calling to connect: Laying the foundation for public transportation

By Gordon Dykstra on July 17, 2025.

If you think running a transit system is just about driving buses from Point A to Point B, buckle up-because there’s a whole lot more going on under the hood.

Medicine Hat Transit’s goal is to be a finely-tuned machine, powered by people, passion and a whole lot of planning. From morning commutes to late-evening rides, every trip is the result of countless moving parts working in harmony.

Let’s start with the numbers.

In 2025, MHT is delivering a whopping 48,000 hours of regular service and 15,000 hours of Special Transit, using a fleet of 19 large and 12 small buses. In 2024 alone, MHT recorded over one million boardings, and 2025 is already on track to match that milestone.

But what does it take to keep this system rolling?

A dedicated team of 45 permanent staff, including drivers, service workers, and frontline supervisors, plus 11 casual staff and booking support from 911 dispatchers. These folks are the unsung heroes of this vital, growing service.

They coordinate hundreds of daily trips while navigating traffic, construction, detours, and the ever-changing needs of riders. Mobile supervisors are on the ground whenever buses are running, ensuring schedules stay on track and responding to real-time challenges.

MHT doesn’t just react-it evolves. Ridership and performance data are reviewed monthly, and three times per year, the team evaluates areas under schedule pressure for potential improvements. When changes are proposed, feedback from both drivers and riders is gathered to ensure that improvements are meaningful, while not disruptive. It’s all about cumulative, incremental progress.

And speaking of progress, MHT has been busy. Since COVID, the system has introduced On-Demand service, MHTgo electronic fare, real-time bus tracking, new signage, an upgraded Ride Guide and a permanent customer feedback portal.

The result?

A smarter, more responsive transit system that’s safer and easier to use than ever before.

Safety is a top priority, too.

Despite some uncertainty from the public, the Transit Terminal is a secure space with 24/7 security, camera monitoring and staff presence during all transfer times. In 2024, MHT buses traveled 1.2 million kilometres without a single photo-radar ticket and averaged175,000 kilometres between at-fault accidents-that’s like driving across Canada 30 times without a single driver-caused incident.

MHT focuses on connecting high-density neighborhoods with key destinations like malls, downtown, employment hubs and recreation centres. It’s about serving those who need it most, and doing it well.

Would we love to be able to serve everywhere? Sure. That said, it’s about providing that essential foundation, and building from there.

And that’s where we feel the heart of MHT truly shines. Many drivers have been with the system for decades, now transporting the children of riders they once took to school. Special Transit staff know their clients by name, having built relationships over years of service. The team’s passion is evident in every friendly greeting, every helpful direction and every thoughtful suggestion for improvement.

At the end of the day, MHT isn’t just about buses-it’s about people. It’s about ensuring that everyone, regardless of income or circumstance, has access to safe, reliable and professional transportation. It’s about showing up, every day, with a commitment to making life a little easier for the community we love. And that’s a journey we’re proud to be on-together.

Gordon Dykstra is the manager of Transit Services with the City of Medicine Hat

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