Exclusive - Exciting News About Holiday Transit Service Coming Soon
Downtown transit terminal
Sept 2025
Photo - Kelly Allard
Currently Medicine Hat Transit has NO service on holidays. Medicine Hat used to have transit service on holidays but that was stopped.
Background
In Feb 2025 I shared some information with Joseph Hutter who was Managing Director of Public Services at that time.
Mr Hutter is currently the interim City Manger, it is presumed he will return to his previous role when they hire a permanent one.
June 2025, the City offered a Rec and Ride pass which targeted the teens - $50 got them a bus pass for the entire summer which included admission to several recreational facilities. This was a brilliant idea.
The teens got more freedom, parents did not have to play chauffeur.
The teens got admission to a number of recreational activities, thereby saving them money which could be spent on other things in the community.
It contributed to building a bus riding culture. This gets cars off the roads which saves on maintenance costs as well as reducing air pollution.
This was hugely successful, they got far more uptake than expected.
The Public Services Department decided they had enough in their budget to provide transit service on three holidays. They launched a survey last year to find out which ones were preferred.
66 people participated in the survey, the top 3 holidays were
Canada Day (July 1)
Family Day (third Monday in February)
Victoria Day (last Monday before May 25)
Monday’s Update
Acting Managing Director of Public Services Leah Prestayko, Feb 12 2026
Photo - Kelly Allard
I took the opportunity to ask officials questions after Monday’s Public Services Committee Meeting to ask for an update.
Acting Managing Director of Public Services Leah Prestayko said that there will be an announcement soon about transit service on holidays, that I would be pleasantly surprised.
(I had said that I hoped that Family Day would be one of the chosen days as the Big Marble Go Centre typically has a lot of free activities. )
It is unclear whether the holiday transit service will include Adaptive Transit (formerly called Special Transit). The Owl has sent a request to the City, we will update when the information is received.
Councillor Use of Transit
As always, I asked the councillors who serve on the Public Services Committee when was the last time they took the bus to get somewhere.
Committee Chair Councillor Bill Cocks - He could not remember. When asked if he planned on doing so, Councillor Cocks said no. When asked why not, he said “I don’t need the bus, fortunately.” When The Owl pointed out that he was in charge of the Public Services Committee which oversees transit, he said “True”.
Committee Vice Chair Councillor Chris Hellman - Took the shuttle to a hockey game. (While the shuttle service does use city buses, it is not a regular route and gives no idea of the typical rider experience.)
Committee Member Councillor Dan Reynish - Three years ago to go home from the hospital after his heart attack.
Challenge To Council
The Owl would like to challenge all council members to take the bus across town to get a feel of what it is like to use the bus for commuting. The weather is going to be above zero for the next week, hint hint.
