Medicine Hat Transit

Area served	Medicine Hat, AB
Founded	July 1, 1970 as Medicine Hat Transit System (from Medicine Hat Transportation Company)
Fleet size	14 (Conventional bus) 12 (Special Transit)
Number of routes	11 (Peak) 8 (Non-peak)
Ridership	1,300,000 (2016) (+1% from 2012) 1,287,500 (2012) (+30% from 2009)
Union	ATU Local 1374

Medicine Hat Transit is the provider of public transportation in the city of Medicine Hat, Alberta.

History

Service began on July 1, 1970, replacing the Medicine Hat Transportation Company.

The current transit garage was completed in 1979.

The first wheelchair-accessible bus, 780, entered service in 1985. It introduced a prototype of the 'flame' livery.

Construction of the transit terminal started in 1986 and opened in early 1988.

In 1987, the 'flame' livery was adopted. It was first applied to 754 after its conversion to methanol fuel.

Special Transit as it exists today started on March 16, 1992.

In 2008, a new 'wave' livery was introduced on 781-783 (2nd).

The transit garage was expanded and made fully CNG ready between 2013 and 2015. This nearly doubled the garage's capacity.

On September 5, 2017, Medicine Hat Transit revised their new route network to a system with two core routes and three feeder routes. This replaced the previous fifteen route system. On September 18, 2017, Medicine Hat City Council approved a motion to revert back to the previous route network, with the revised network taking effect on November 27, 2017.

Starting in April, 2019, Medicine Hat Transit introduced GPS tracking on all buses. This service is run through DoubleMap.

On September 18, 2019, the Medicine Hat Sunshine Trolley opened. This is a tourist shuttle that visits various attractions throughout the city, the tourist information centre, various hotels, and downtown. This service is run separately from Medicine Hat Transit, but both are run by the city. This bus is driven by a Prairie Sprinter driver on one day, and a Medicine Hat Transit driver on the next.

Operators in the Medicine Hat area

• Medicine Hat Ferry - A ferry that ran across the South Saskatchewan River between 1883 and 1908. Replaced by the Finlay Bridge.

• Redcliff Bus Lines - Suburban bus service between Medicine Hat and Redcliff, AB (1932-?)

• Blair's Bus Lines - Transit service in Medicine Hat, ran from the 1930's until 1952.

• Medicine Hat Transit, Limited - Took over Blair's Bus Lines in 1952, renamed in 1953.

• Medicine Hat Transportation Company - City bus service. Service started on 2 November, 1953. Acquired by the City of Medicine Hat in June, 1970 and became Medicine Hat Transit.

• Highway 3 Connector - Shuttle service from Redcliff to Lethbridge, with stops in Medicine Hat, Seven Persons, Bow Island, Taber, Coaldale and other towns in between. Operated by Southland Transportation

Alternative Energy Program

Methanol

See also: Project MILE

The Project MILE logo on the side of 754 (1st).

Medicine Hat Transit started its original alternative fuel program in 1986, as a part of Project MILE (Methanol In Large Engines). Between 1987 and 1994, eight buses were converted to run entirely on methanol fuel.

In 1987, two New Looks were converted to methanol by Medicine Hat Transit. These were the very first methanol buses in Medicine Hat. The six MCI Classic buses ordered in 1989 and 1990 were converted to methanol before delivery.

This program was cancelled in 1991, after six employees experienced effects of methane poisoning . All methanol buses were converted back to diesel, and the last bus ran on methanol in December of 1994.

Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)

In 2013, the city's current program was put into effect. The first factory-new CNG buses arrived in 2014 and entered service in winter, 2014-15. Come spring, ETS's CNG trial buses were retired and sold to the Hat. They entered service in July, 2015.

At this point, the conventional bus fleet was 50% CNG. The original plan was to have it be completely CNG by 2020, but this plan was cancelled when no other CNG fueling stations had opened in the city. Instead, transit decided on making the fleet be 2/3 CNG. This way, service can be achieved by putting diesel special transit buses into service (in place of the alternate fuel buses) in the event of a long-term fueling problem.

The November 5, 2018 budget saw 6 additional CNG buses ordered, along with 5 other diesel buses; these for replacement of all current conventional diesel buses.

Routes

Medicine Hat Transit 'Ride Guide' (route maps and schedules), updated March, 2019.

See also: List of Medicine Hat Transit Bus Stops

Current routes

Peak routes

Peak routes operate Monday to Friday between 6:45 am and 6:45 pm.

• 10 - Northeast Crescent Heights
• 11 - Northwest Crescent Heights
• 20 - Flats
• 21 - Hospital
• 22 - South Hill
• 31 - Dunmore Road
• 40 - College / Downtown
• 41 - College / Mall
• 50 - Ross Glen
• 60 - Southridge
• 62 - Southlands

Off-peak routes

Off-peak routes operate on weekdays after 6:45 pm, and all day on Saturday, Sunday, and Holidays.

• 10 - Northeast Crescent Heights
• 11 - Northwest Crescent Heights
• 20 - Flats
• 21 - Hospital
• 22 - South Hill
• 30 - Dunmore Road
• 53 - Ross Glen
• 61 - Southridge

Special Routes

• Notre Dame school special - Weekdays during the school year
• Holy Family Parish shuttle - Every Sunday
• Echo Dale Park shuttle (also known as Medicine Hat Beach Bound Bus) - Seasonal, hasn't run since 2017

Former routes

Current System

• 12 North-South direct
• 50 Ross Glen Northbound
• 51 Ross Glen Southbound
• 51 Ross Glen/Mall

2017 Network

These were identified with a number, colour, and a shape. The destination signs showed service areas (ex. South Hill/NW Crescent Heights/Tower Estates/Light Industrial/3 Green).

• Primary routes:
  • 1 Blue (circle)
  • 2 Red (square)
• Secondary (feeder) routes:
  • 3 Green (triangle)
  • 4 Purple (diamond)
  • 5 Orange (pentagon)

1980's/1990's

Incomplete, found in photos.

• College/Northwest Crescent Heights
• Cypress Way
• Dunmore Road
• Flats/Kensington
• Hospital
• Ross Glen
• Shopper's Express (later became Dunmore Road)
• South Ridge

1993

As appeared on the rollsign of 769.

• Airport
• College/Northwest Crescent Heights
• Dunmore Road/Northeast Crescent Heights
• Hospital
• Kensington/Flats
• Stampede
• Ross Glen/Southridge

2008

From a 2008 edit on this page.

Peak:

• Crescent Heights/Downtown
• Crescent Heights B
• Hospital
• Flats
• Kensington
• Dunmore Road
• College
• Ross Glen
• South Ridge

Off-Peak:

• 1A Northeast Crescent Heights
• 1B Flats and Northwest Crescent Heights
• 2A Hospital and Riverside
• 2B South Hill
• 3A Downtown to MH College/MH Mall/Wal-Mart
• 3B MH Mall/Crestwood/Downtown
• 4A South Ridge to MH Mall/MH College
• 4B Ross Glen to MH Mall

Fares

Accurate as of 2019.

Age Group	Transfer	Monthly Pass	Special Transit
0-5	Free	Free	Not eligible
6-17	$3.25	$38.75	$3.25 one way. Only available to ages 16+
18-64	$3.25	$71.25	$3.25 one way
65+	$3.25	$43.75	$3.25 one way

Current

Facilities

Office

• Address: 333 6 Ave. SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 0H2
• Email: mhtransit@medicinehat.ca
• Fax: 403-527-5844
• Phone:
  • General Inquiries: 403-529-8214
  • Transit Information: 403-525-8899
  • Transit Manager: 403-529-8216

Downtown Terminal

• Address: 333 6 Ave. SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 0H2

Garage

• Address: 460 Spencer Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1Y7

Storage Compound

• Address: 209 Marshall Avenue SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 1Y8

Conventional Bus Roster

Includes units with the internal fleet numbers P07**.

Current Conventional Roster

All units are equipped with bike racks.

Fleet number(s)	Thumbnail	Year	Manufacturer	Model	Engine	Transmission	Notes
740-744?		2019	Grande West	Vicinity 30'	Cummins B6.7	ZF 6AP1020B	743 and 744 entered service on January 15, 2020. Built 10/2019 743's VIN: 2G9B30AA3KA098462 744's VIN: 2G9B30AA5KA098463
747		2005	NFI	D40LF	Cummins ISL	Allison B400R5	745 and 746 were a part of this order, but have since been retired. To be replaced by the 2019 Vicinity order.
748-750		2009	NFI	D40LFR	Cummins ISL	Allison B400R6	To be replaced by the 2019 Vicinity order.
751-753		2010	NFI	D40LFR	Cummins ISL	Allison B400R6	To be replaced by the 2019 Vicinity order. 751 had its transmission replaced 2019.
754-759		2014	NFI	XN40	Cummins Westport ISL G	Allison B400R6
760-761		2012	NFI	C40LFR	Cummins Westport ISL G	Allison B400R5	Ex-Edmonton Transit System 6007-6008; purchased in 2015.

Retired Conventional Roster

Sorted in order of acquisition.

School buses ran both on regular routes and school runs contracted by the Medicine Hat Public School Division No. 76.

Fleet number(s)	Thumbnail	Year	Year Retired	Manufacturer	Model	Engine	Transmission	Notes
728-730		1956	1974	GMC	TGH-3102	GMC 270 cubic in.	Allison AT-540	729 used for parts by Harvest Moon Mobile Drive-in Ex-Medicine Hat Transportation Company 28-30.
731		1959	1975	GMC	TGH-3102	GMC 270 cubic in.	Allison AT-540	Ex-Medicine Hat Transportation Company 31.
732-733		1961	1976	GMC	TGH-3102	GMC 270 cubic in.	Allison AT-540	Ex-Medicine Hat Transportation Company 32-33.
734-736		1963	1978	GMC	TGH-3102	GMC 270 cubic in.	Allison AT-540	Ex-Medicine Hat Transportation Company 34-36.
737-740 were retired before being passed on to MHT
741		1960	1980	GMC	TGH-3102	GMC 270 cubic in.	Allison AT-540	Preserved by Harvest Moon Mobile Drive-in Ex-Medicine Hat Transportation Company 41. Exx-Galt Public Service Commission 93 (1st). Exxx-Canada Coach Lines 93. Originally Hamilton Street Railway 93.
742-744		1969	1984-1988	GMC	TGH-3502	GMC 270 cubic in.	Allison AT-540	Ex-Medicine Hat Transportation Company 42-44 744 to the City of Medicine Hat 1044
745-747		1974	1990	GMDD	T6H-4523N	Detroit Diesel 6V71N	Allison VH9	745 to Alberta Central Railway Museum in May 2010.
748-749		1975	1990	GMDD	T6H-4523N	Detroit Diesel 6V71N	Allison VH9
750-753		1976	1989-2000	GMDD	T6H-4523N	Detroit Diesel 6V71N	Allison VH9	752 to the City of Medicine Hat 1045 752 converted into camper bus by Gas City Metals.
754-756		1979	2000	GMDD	T6H-5307N	Detroit Diesel 6V71N	Allison V730	754 was converted to methanol and repowered with a Detroit Diesel 6V92TA.
719-730		1975-79	1984	Chevrolet Wayne	B-Series Lifeguard	Chevrolet 6.0L V8	Allison AT-475	66 Passenger
731-732		1980	1984	Chevrolet Wayne	B-Series Lifeguard	Detroit Diesel 8.2L V8	Allison AT-475	66 Passenger
757		1980	2000	GMDD	T6H-5307N	Detroit Diesel 6V71N	Allison V730
733		1981	1984	Chevrolet Wayne	B-Series Lifeguard	Detroit Diesel 8.2L V8	Allison AT-475	66 Passenger
758-759		1981	1994-2000	GMDD	T6H-5307N	Detroit Diesel 6V71N	Allison V730	759 was converted to methanol and repowered with a Detroit Diesel 6V92TA.
760-762		1987	2006	GMDD	TC40-102N	Detroit Diesel 6V92TA	Allison V731
763-765		1989	2006-2009	MCI	TC40-102N	Detroit Diesel 6V92TA	Allison V731	Converted to methanol before delivery.
766-768		1990	2006-2011	MCI	TC40-102N	Detroit Diesel 6V92TA	Allison V731	Converted to methanol before delivery.
770		1995	2010	NFI	D40LF	Detroit Diesel Series 50	Allison B400R
771		1997	2006	Champion	Solo	Cummins B5.9	Allison MT-643
772-774		1998	2006-2011	Champion	Solo	Cummins B5.9	Allison MT-643	772 retired due to a fire.
775-779, 780 (2nd)		1999	2006-2011	Champion	Solo	Cummins B5.9	Allison MT-643	778 retired due to a fire.
740-741		2000	2016	NFI	D40LF	Cummins ISC	Allison B400R
742-744		2002	2016-2017	NFI	D40LF	Detroit Diesel Series 50 EGR	Allison B400R
781-783		2008	2015	ElDorado	EZ Rider II MAX	Cummins ISB	Allison B300R	Sold to Can-ar Coach Service as 2803, 2802, 3208.
784-785		2009	2015	ElDorado	EZ Rider II MAX	Cummins ISB	Allison B300R	Sold to Can-ar Coach Service as 2801, 2804.

On order

Fleet number(s)	Thumbnail	Year	Manufacturer	Model	Engine	Transmission	Notes
(6 units)		2019	Grande West	Vicinity 30' CNG	Cummins Westport B6.7N	ZF 6AP1020B	To replace current diesel fleet Orders were originally for 35-foot units, but were changed later to 30-foot Delivered on December 30, 2019.
(7 units)			? Glaval				Tender awarded to Overland Custom Coach.

Special Transit

Includes units with the internal fleet numbers P06**.

Note: special transit buses are occasionally found on regular routes, and midibuses are often found on both special transit runs and regular routes.

Current Special Transit Roster

Fleet number(s)	Thumbnail	Year	Manufacturer	Model	Engine	Transmission	Livery	Notes
715		2011	Dodge	Grand Caravan	3.8L Flex Fuel	6 speed automatic		Used with special transit and as a worker shuttle.
716			Dodge	Grand Caravan	3.8L Flex Fuel	6 speed automatic		Used with special transit and as a worker shuttle.
720-721		2009	Chevrolet Arboc	4500 SOM28D	GMC Duramax 6.6L	GM 6 speed automatic		In process of retirement 720 has back window 721 has back door
722-725		2010	Chevrolet Arboc	4500 SOM28D	GMC Duramax 6.6L	GM 6 speed automatic		In process of retirement All have back windows All but 730 have rear destination signs 730 totaled in collision on July 26, 2019, retired.
732		2012	Chevrolet Arboc	4500 SOM28D	GMC Duramax 6.6L	GM 6 speed automatic
731, 733-734		2013	Chevrolet Arboc	4500 SOM28D	GMC Duramax 6.6L	GM 6 speed automatic
735		2014	Chevrolet Arboc	4500 SOM28D	GMC Duramax 6.6L	GM 6 speed automatic		Updated styling
736		2015	Chevrolet Arboc	4500 SOM23D	GMC Duramax 6.6L	GM 6 speed automatic		Updated styling

Retired Special Transit Roster

• The first dial-a-bus service started in 1953, under the Medicine Hat Transportation Company.

• Gloribus service ran from the 1970 to 1992. It was wheelchair accessible. This service was also sometimes referred to as Glory Bus.

• Special Transit service in its current form started on March 16, 1992.

This roster is sorted in the order of acquisition by the city.

Fleet number(s)	Thumbnail	Year	Year Retired	Manufacturer	Model	Engine	Transmission	Notes
714		1970's	1990's	Grumman	23-passenger minibus	350 Cu. In. V8 Gasoline	3-speed manual	Photo Licence plate FFX-485
715-716		1980	1980, 1986	?	Passenger Van			Delivered and entered service on July 12, 1980. One unit was destroyed by fire on July 12, 1980.
717		1970's	1985	?				Ex. Morris, Manitoba. Replaced the van that was destroyed on July 12, 1980.
718		1981	1986	?	Passenger Van
780 (1st)		1985	2000	OBI	Orion II (02.501)	GMC 8.2L	Allison AT-545	First low-floor bus in Medicine Hat
781-782		1986	2002	OBI	Orion II (02.501)	GMC 8.2L	Allison AT-545
783		1987	2005	OBI	Orion II (02.501)	GMC 8.2L	Allison AT-545
785		1991	2005	OBI	Orion II (02.502)	Navistar T444E	Allison AT-545
769		1993	2006	OBI	Orion II (02.501)	Navistar T444E	Allison AT-545
771		1997	2006	Champion	Solo	Cummins B5.9	Allison MT-643	Formerly ran on regular routes, later assigned solely to special transit.
772-774		1998	2006-2011	Champion	Solo	Cummins B5.9	Allison MT-643	772 retired due to a fire. Formerly ran on regular routes, later assigned solely to special transit.
775-779, 780 (2nd)		1999	2006-2011	Champion	Solo	Cummins B5.9	Allison MT-643	778 retired due to a fire. Formerly ran on regular routes, later assigned solely to special transit.
730 (1st)		2000	2012	Ford	E-350 Van (extended body)	Ford	Ford
731		2000	2010	Ford Overland	ELF 125	Ford Powerstroke V8 7.3 L 235 hp	Ford 4R100 4 speed
732-733		2002	2010	Ford Overland	ELF 125	Ford Powerstroke V8 7.3 L 235 hp	Ford 4R100 4 speed
734-737		2005	2012	Ford Overland	ELF 125	Ford Powerstroke V8 7.3 L 235 hp	Ford TorqShift 5R110 5 speed
728-729		2005	2016-2018	Ford Corbeil	E-450 F158DWCM5	Ford Powerstroke V8	Ford TorqShift 5R110 5 speed
726-727		2009	2015	IC Bus Goshen	3200 Sentinel HD 3200	International MaxxForce 7	Allison 2200 PTS	Last high-floor buses ordered

Demonstrator Roster

Fleet number(s)	Thumbnail	Year	Demonstration Date	Manufacturer	Model	Engine	Transmission	Notes
2001		10/1983	January 11-14, 1984	GMDD	TC40-102N Classic	Detroit Diesel 6V71N	Allison V730	GMC demo bus Leased for $10 VIN: 2GHYT82W3E3500013
(No number)			April to May, 2016	New Flyer Industries	MD30 MiDi	Cummins ISB 6.7	Allison B300R	Direct link unavailable, find through Medicine Hat Newsroom New Flyer demo bus
(No number)		2016	August 20, 2019	Grande West	Vicinity 35'	Cummins ISB 6.7	ZF 6AP1002B	Grande West demo bus/35' prototype Shown to transit staff, not used in service

See Also

• Medicine Hat Ferry - A ferry that ran across the South Saskatchewan River between 1893 and 1908. Replaced by the Finlay Bridge.

• City of Medicine Hat - Other buses operated by the City of Medicine Hat.
• Medicine Hat Transit Support Vehicles
• Medicine Hat Transportation Company - Predecessor to Medicine Hat Transit
• Redcliff Bus Lines - service between Medicine Hat and Redcliff, started 1932 and ended in the 1950's.
• Blair's Bus Lines - predecessor to the Medicine Hat Transportation Company.
• Highway 3 Connector - Shuttle service between Redcliff and Lethbridge, operated by Southland Transportation.

External links

• www.city.medicine-hat.ab.ca

References

v·d·e
Operational
Routes	10 Northeast Crescent Heights, 11 Northwest Crescent Heights, 20 River Flats, 21 Hospital, 22 South Hill, 30 Dunmore Road, 46 Southview / College, 53 Ross Glen, 61 Southridge, MHTnow (on-demand transit)
Stops	'C' Prefix (central), 'N' Prefix (north), 'S' Prefix (south)
Conventional Fleet Roster
Active	743-747, 748-753, 754-759, 760-761
Retired	728-730, 731, 732-733, 734-736, 741 (1st), 742-744 (1st), 745-747 (1st), 748-749 (1st), 750-753 (1st), 754-756 (1st), 757 (1st), 758-759 (1st), 760-762 (1st) 763-765, 766-768, 770, 771, 772-774, 775-779, 780 (2nd), 740-741 (2nd), 742-744 (2nd), 745-747 (2nd), 748-750 (2nd), 751-753 (2nd), 781-783 (2nd), 784-785 (2nd)
Special Transit Roster
Active	715, 716, 731, 732, 733-734, 735, 736
Retired	714, 715-716 (1st), 717, 718, 720-721 (2nd), 722-725, 730 (2nd), 726-727, 728-729, 730 (1st), 731, 732-733, 734-737, 769, 780, 781-782, 783, 785
Other (All-time)
Support Vehicles	700, 712, 713, 714, 715, 716 (1st), 716 (2nd), 719, 730 (1st), 798, 799
School Buses	719-733