The City of Airdrie received the Marketing and Communications Award at the 2024 CUTA Awards Ceremony.

Airdrie is renowned for its vibrant community parades, including Canada Day and the Santa Claus parade, which draw tens of thousands of attendees. In 2023, Airdrie Transit made a bold return to these events with a unique entry—the Gingerbread Bus—designed by Corporate Communications team member Charmaine Bradley. This festive transformation featured

a whimsical gingerbread theme, complete with gumdrops and a 60-foot gingerbread backdrop, celebrating community spirit and the increasing demand for Airdrie Transit services.

The Gingerbread Bus not only made a splash at the parade but also operated revenue service throughout December, January, and February. Partnerships with local schools and senior lodges enriched the experience; for instance, high school bands performed onboard, and students participated in coloring activities. The bus even offered holiday light tours for seniors, complete with hot chocolate and festive cheer.

While the campaign wasn’t focused on traditional KPIs, it fostered six unique partnerships and welcomed over 300 people on special events, plus 1,000 riders on regional routes and 15,000 parade attendees. With a budget of just

$9,900, the Gingerbread Bus campaign proved to be a delightful and cost- effective way to engage the community, celebrate the holiday season, and enhance the visibility of public transit in Airdrie.