Big changes are coming to RMWB Transit starting Aug. 22

New routes, On Demand service and shorter wait times! Plan ahead before the changes take effect.

A redesigned and improved transit system is rolling out to make it easier to get around Fort McMurray. Starting Aug. 22, all existing routes will be discontinued and replaced with high-frequency core routes, neighbourhood routes and Transit On Demand service. Riders should plan ahead and review the new routes, schedules and all changes before they take effect.

View the new Transit network map.      

The changes are based on the 2023 Transit Master Plan, which was developed with community input and approved by Municipal Council. This is the first phase of the changes being implemented. Improvements are being planned to rural and school transit and other transit services as part of the implementation of future phases of the Transit Master Plan.

Core Routes

• There will be two core routes, Route 1 (Thickwood – Gregoire) and Route 2 (Timberlea – Keyano) that are high-frequency routes and will run on main roads to connect high ridership areas to key destinations across Fort McMurray.
• Core routes will run from 5 a.m. to midnight during the week, and from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends and holidays, offering longer hours of service compared to the current schedule.
• Core routes will run every 15 minutes during peak hours on weekdays (6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.) and every 25 minutes during off-peak hours, including weekends and statutory holidays, offering a faster, more direct way to travel.

Neighbourhood Routes

• Seven neighbourhood routes will serve neighbourhoods during high ridership times and will connect to core routes for travel across Fort McMurray.
• Neighbourhood routes are available between 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. each day. During off-peak hours during the day and weekends, some neighbourhood routes may not be available and will be replaced with Transit On Demand.

Transit On Demand Service

• RMWB Transit On Demand is a new service riders can use to book a ride when neighbourhood routes aren’t available.
• There will be four On Demand Zones: Timberlea, Thickwood, Downtown and Airport.
• Riders can use Transit On Demand to travel within the same zone and to connect to a core route.
• Starting Aug. 22, there will be three ways to book an On Demand ride:
  • The RMWB Transit On Demand app (available for download Aug. 13)
  • rmwb.ca/OnDemand
  • Pulse 780-743-7000
• Riders must create an account before they can book On Demand trips. Accounts can start being created on Aug. 13 when the app is available for download.
• After booking, riders will be picked up within 30 minutes or sooner. Anyone using Transit On Demand to connect to a core route, should check the regular route schedules and maps. Regular transit routes are not available on the RMWB Transit On Demand app, but are available on the Transit App, Google Maps and the RMWB website. 
• On Demand service will be available daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., with the exception of the Downtown Zone.
• From Monday to Friday, On Demand service in the Downtown Zone will only be available in the evenings from 6 to 10 p.m. On Demand service is available downtown on the weekends from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m.
• The operating hours for Transit On Demand service in Waterways will be announced in the coming days before Aug. 22.

Specialized Transit

Specialized Transit (formerly known as SMART Bus) will continue to provide registered users with curb-to-curb service in accessible buses as part of Transit On Demand service. Registered users can benefit from longer operating hours, increased trip availability and the same booking methods used for Transit On Demand (in addition to their current booking methods), making it easier to use Specialized Transit.

Specialized Transit users will continue to arrive on time for all their appointments. There may be times when the accessible bus picks up regular On Demand riders in the neighbourhood headed to the same area.

Find more information about Specialized Transit at rmwb.ca/OnDemand.

School Routes

RMWB Transit will continue to offer school routes to high schools in Fort McMurray. All pick-up and drop-off times will be similar, but there will be new route numbers for school routes and regular routes. Visit the School Transit webpage to find the 2025-26 transit information for each high school. 

A Transit Student Guide will be available shortly and provided to all schools. Parents and students should review the Transit Student Guide, new route information and plan ahead before the first day of school. 

Main Street terminal closure

On Aug. 22, the Main Street Transit Terminal in downtown Fort McMurray will be permanently closed.

Two new bus stops: the southbound bus stop on Franklin Avenue near kiyām Park and a northbound bus stop on Franklin Avenue in front of the BMO Bank of Montreal branch – will replace the Main Street terminal. 

No changes to rural transit or fares

There are no changes to fares or rural transit.

Find the new route maps, schedules and details about the upcoming changes, by selecting a route from the appendix below or visiting rmwb.ca/transit.

For more information, contact Pulse online or by phone at 780-743-7000.

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Media inquiries: 

media@rmwb.ca 

Appendix

Select a new route below to find specific schedules, maps and more.

Core routes: 
1 - Thickwood / Gregoire  

2 - Timberlea / Keyano   
 
Neighbourhood routes: 

3 - MacDonald Island / Abasand Heights  

4 - Beacon Hill / MacDonald Island  

5 - Timberlea / Bear Ridge  

6 - Thickwood / Timberlea  

7 - Wood Buffalo Estates

8 - Eagle Ridge / Stone Creek  

9 - Parsons Creek 

School Transit:

Select a high school to view the transit routes that can take students to and from that school.

Composite High School

École McTavish High School

Father Mecredi High School

Holy Trinity High School

Westwood High School    

Find which new route to take