From free fares to encourage civic engagement, to new light rail arrivals and a long-awaited transit launch, cities across Canada are making bold moves to improve mobility. Winnipeg is making transit history as the first Canadian city to roll out a 60-foot battery-electric bus. Here’s a roundup of the latest transit news from coast to coast.

Lévis Offers Free Transit on Election Day to Boost Voter Turnout

The City of Lévis is making it easier to vote this fall. To encourage participation in the upcoming municipal election, STLévis will offer free bus service on election day, November 2.

The initiative, expected to cost $25,000, aims to reverse declining voter turnout, which dipped below 35% in 2021. With 75% of polling stations located near a bus stop, the city hopes this move will not only boost turnout but also highlight the convenience of public transit.

STLévis is also considering increasing service frequency on election day, though no route changes are currently planned.

 

First Valley Line West LRT Train Arrives in Edmonton

Edmonton marked a major milestone this month with the arrival of the first light rail vehicle (LRV) for the Valley Line West. Manufactured by Hyundai Rotem in South Korea, the vehicle travelled by sea and land to reach the Gerry Wright maintenance facility, where it will undergo final assembly.

This is the first of 46 LRVs that will support the westward expansion of Edmonton’s Valley Line. Sixteen vehicles are currently in production, and testing will begin on the existing Valley Line Southeast tracks without disrupting current service. Construction of the Valley Line West is scheduled for completion in 2028.

 

Yonge North Subway Extension Moves Ahead

Toronto’s subway network is expanding northward. The Ontario government has awarded a contract to begin tunnelling for the Yonge North Subway Extension, a transformative project that will extend Line 1 by eight kilometres from Finch Station into Vaughan, Markham, and Richmond Hill.

The extension will include five new stations and is expected to support more than 90,000 daily transit trips, cutting travel times by up to 22 minutes between Markham and downtown Toronto. It’s also projected to remove 7,700 kilometres of rush-hour vehicle travel each day and reduce annual emissions by 4,800 tonnes.

The project is part of Ontario’s $70-billion transit plan and includes $2.2 billion in federal funding. Additional contracts for stations, track, and systems will follow once design work is complete.

 

On-Demand Transit Launches in Pembroke

For the first time in more than a decade, Pembroke, Ontario, has a public transit option. The city launched a new on-demand pilot project on August 5, offering service six days a week (excluding Sundays and holidays).

The three-year pilot uses two eight-seat vehicles that can be booked through an app, website, or by phone, with trips costing a flat $5. Riders can expect to walk no more than five minutes to their pickup location, and a third backup vehicle is available if needed.

Developed with Mobility Transportation Specialists and Blaise Transit, the service includes limited wheelchair accessibility and complements the existing Handi-Bus service. The city expects monthly ridership to range between 1,200 and 1,700 in the first year.

 

Winnipeg to Launch Canada’s First 60-Foot Electric Articulated Bus

Winnipeg is set to become the first Canadian city to introduce a 60-foot articulated battery-electric bus into service. The locally built zero-emission bus, manufactured by New Flyer, will begin limited weekday service next week, with eight total buses expected on the road by the end of 2025. City officials say the move marks a major step toward a cleaner, more sustainable transit future.

 

Whether it’s making transit more accessible on election day, improving regional rail networks, or introducing new on-demand services, Canadian communities are finding innovative ways to strengthen public transit. We’ll continue tracking these developments as they shape the way people move across the country.