Transit terminals

Please only use our terminals as transfer points for busing, and spend as little time as possible indoors. When using the terminals, please respect other customer’s personal space and maintain a reasonable physical distance.

Bikes, scooters and skates boards

Do not ride bikes, scooter and skate on the platform or in the terminal building for the safety of all pedestrians.

While we encourage transit riders to use multimodal forms of transportation including bikes, scooters and skate boards, and they are allowed on board our buses (safely secured), we ask that you do not ride them on the terminal platforms or in our terminal buildings as this increases the chance of collisions with pedestrians and property, especially during peak hours. We recognize that riding these vehicles allows you to get from one bus to another faster, however, if you are concerned that your bus will leave before you can transfer your bike from one bus to the next, please just let your operator know which bus you are transferring to, and they will radio to the next operator to wait for you. Everyone's safety is our first concern.

Improve your visibility

Everyday we encourage our passengers to be alert at bus stops, watch for their buses (rather than looking down at phones), and to step up or wave to the operators to help indicate that they want to catch the approaching bus. However, with the days getting shorter this becomes even more difficult. Darkness, poorly lit bus stop, reflections on bus shelters, trees and shrubs, and dark clothing all combine to increase the chances of an operator not being able to see a passenger standing at a bus stop. We need your help to ensure we don't miss you, especially as the days grow shorter.

Here are a few tips that can help Operators see you better:

• Watch for your bus rather than focusing on your phone, if you step out too late the Operator could miss you
• Step out of the shelter before the bus arrives to improve your visibility
• Wear lighter clothing or clothing with reflective bands
• If you are game, wear a safety vest or get a LED band you can wear the increases your visibility in the dark
• When the bus is approaching turn your phone on and wave it so the Operator can see the light and in turn, you!
• Don't just sit there, stand up! Get up, wave, let the Operator know you intend on getting on their bus, not that you are just taking a break on a walk.

Making Transit more accessible to everyone

Strathcona County Transit's conventional bus fleet is 100% accessible. This means that all of our buses on the road are able to have individuals using mobility aids such as scooters, wheel chairs or walkers board our buses and safely restrain their mobility aid.

A tour of accessibility features

We had an opportunity to work with the County's Special Olympic Ambassadors to take a quick tour of our accessibility features. Take moment to join Declan and Madison and they go for a ride...

Fort Saskatchewan service

Service between Fort Saskatchewan and Sherwood Park begins July 2, 2024 from the Bethel Transit Terminal.

The new route travels between Bethel Transit Terminal and Dow Centennial Centre, improving resident access from both municipalities to local resources, services, businesses and amenities. Rides can pay using their arc card or cash. The Arc electronic fare payment system supports easier access to local transit in both municipalities for residents throughout the region. Ft. Saskatchewan fares will be charged for this service. For more information on Fort Saskatchewan transit service visit Fort Sask Transit.

In November of 2023, Fort Saskatchewan Transit began the process of exploring the possibility of changing their commuter service from their current provider, Edmonton Transit Services (ETS), to service from Fort Saskatchewan into Sherwood Park’s Bethel Transit Terminal. On January 23, 2024 their Council voted to make this happen. Next steps will be for Strathcona County and the City of Fort Saskatchewan to enter into an agreement for the service, as this would be contracted services to Fort Saskatchewan. Strathcona County Council approval of the agreement will still be required before this new route can be finalized. We expect this to be completed this spring and for the route to go into effect in early summer.

Tips for safer travel on Transit

While COVID-19 has become part of our everyday life, there are ways we can travel safer to ensure the spread of any virus is limited.Transit will continue to keep our increased our cleaning efforts both on buses and at our terminals and important part of transit protocols. But below are some tips that you can take that may be helpful to keep you just a little safer while travelling on Transit.

	If you are ill, please consider staying home or wearing a mask while travelling We understand that everyone needs to get places even when they are unwell - and transit is here for you! But if you are unwell, please consider staying home or wearing a mask while travelling. It's the considerate thing to do, especially since we all own masks now.
	If you want to wear a mask, feel free! Masks are no longer required in terminals and on board buses. However if you wish to continue to wear them, please do so. Everyone's comfort levels are different, and we encourage all riders to respect each other and treat one another with kindness.
	Hand sanitizer is a smart choice with so many high-touch surfaces Washing your hands or the regular use of hand sanitizer before you board and after you depart buses is a good means of reducing everyone's exposure to illness. Transit has any high touch surfaces such as hand rails and seat backs. If you're inclined carrying had sanitizer can be a great way to protect yourself from illness.
	Use tap!  Touch-less forms of payment are a good means of reducing contact with others. Using monthly or day passes when travelling on transit is an excellent way to reduce the need for handling cash and transfers. Transit now has tap available both its customer service centres, and we highly recommend you take advantage of this new touch-less technology.

Transit by-law update

On July 6, 2021, Council passed a new Transit Bylaw (25-2021) with updated provisions that meet current and future transit needs, including compatibility with the regional smart fare approach (Arc). It's been more than 30 years since the bylaw (Public Transportation System Bylaw 44-88) has been updated and customers will be excited to see that items such as food and drink restrictions have been removed.

A reminder to all residents and visitors at the transit terminals, section 3.1.12 states:

"Unless authorized, no person shall sell or offer any newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, leaflets, printed matter or similar devices, or merchandise of any kind, or beg or solicit for any purpose whatsoever in Transit vehicles, Transit stations or other facilities of the said System."

Campaigning restrictions on County property: 

The Transit Bylaw 25-2021 restricts campaigning specifically on transit property or in/ on transit vehicles. The following sections of the bylaw apply to campaign activities: 

• A person shall not interfere with the comfort or convenience of any other person on a transit vehicle or transit property. 
• A person shall not loiter in a transit vehicle or on transit property for longer than required to reach that person’s destination. 
• A person shall not distribute any printed material or other goods on a transit vehicle or transit property unless written authorization has been provided by the Chief Commissioner.

Please click here for the complete  transit bylaw (294.0 KB)

Tips for being a courteous commuter

• The seats at the front of the bus are to be used for passengers who may have issues standing.
• If you see someone who may have a greater need for a seat, please offer yours.
• There is no smoking or vaping on buses or with 5 metres of the bus door and windows. There is no smoking in the terminals or on the platform. Please only smoke or vape in designated smoking areas. This includes e-cigarettes.
• Please do not wear strong perfumes and colognes.
• One seat = one passenger.
• When listening to music, wear earphones and keep the volume low.
• Keep all conversations at a respectful volume, whether they are in-person or on the phone.
• When speaking on the phone, please avoid using the speaker phone - earphones or handheld please!
• Keep all bags on your lap or at your feet. Your items cannot block access ways for other passengers.
• Avoid eating on the bus.
• Take all your garbage with you. We have bins all over the terminals for easy disposal of your items.
• Be patient. Pushing is not necessary. Excuse yourself when exiting through a crowd.
• Be polite. Move to the back.
• Only service animals registered with the Provincial Government under the Service Dog Act are allowed to ride on buses without a kennel. All other pets, including non-registered support animals, are allowed on board buses, however must be in a kennel or cage that fits on your lap. Kennels are not allowed to block walk ways.
• When using a stroller, please ensure the wheels are locked once on board. If your stroller does not lock, please remove your child from the vessel and seat them on your lap. 
• Wagons are not allowed on-board SCT buses. Collapsible wagons can be used, however they must be collapsed and cannot block access ways on the bus.
• Please do not ride your bikes, skateboards or scooters on busy platforms. No matter how good you are at maneuvering your equipment, you can't predict what the other person is going to do when rushing for a bus. It's dangerous and someone is going to get hurt.

Transit bus hold guidelines

Transit is committed to operating based on the advertised schedule under normal operating conditions. Sometimes due to outside influences such as: inclement weather and road conditions, construction and traffic, buses may run late and at times miss connections.

In order to better assist our customers in making connections Operators have been allowed to request another bus to hold as long as it does not negatively impact the overall efficiency of the routes. With the increase in road construction, changes to traffic patterns and passenger demands, Transit recognizes that in order to keep buses running on time, we need to make some minor changes to our current procedures.

As of December 1, 2024, Transit will no longer hold buses at the terminals between 3:45 p.m. and 5:45 p.m. weekdays. Operators will not be permitted to radio in for holds and no holds will be granted for any reason. The purpose of this change is to ensure that our buses run closer to the published schedules and to prevent those customers waiting roadside from being exposed to the elements longer than necessary.

Further, when major weather related  traffic issues/delays occur, or inclement weather situations occur such as major winter storms, temperatures falling below -20 degrees Celsius, or high wind chill factors, Transit Dispatch may make the decision to not allow requested holds at any time during the day to ensure service remains on schedule, and customers waiting roadside have limited exposure to the elements.

Transit recognizes that this change may result in customers having to wait at the terminal for their next bus, but feels that the safety of those waiting in the elements out weighs the minor inconvenience of a few extra minutes in the warm terminal.  Please remember that Transit works to support the needs of all our customers and that customer service is a priority. We will strive to assist customers in making their connections whenever possible.

Transit lost and found

Lost and found is located at:

All items found on Transit vehicles or properties are turned into the Lost and Found within 48 hours and are kept for 30 days before removal.

Articles of clothing (mittens, hats etc.), water bottles, coffee mugs and lunch bags are placed in the green bins in the Bethel Transit Terminal lobby. All other items, including phones and keys, are kept in a secure location.

Please call 780-464-RIDE (7433) to claim a lost item.