This winter and early 2026, transit across Canada is getting exciting updates, from festive holiday rides in Edmonton to new OnDemand services in Kelowna, major funding in Waterloo, and service upgrades in Mississauga. Here’s a look at what’s coming for riders.

Edmonton Transit Service is celebrating the season with a free ride on its historic 1946 locomotive along the Capital Line LRT on December 20. The ETS Holiday Train will depart Clareview Transit Centre at 5:15 p.m., making 30-minute stops at Stadium, Central, Corona, and Southgate stations. While this is not part of regular service, riders can enjoy festive music and seasonal décor. ETS staff will also collect donations for the United Way, including warm winter clothing or monetary contributions, giving the community a chance to give back while enjoying a unique holiday experience.

Starting January 4, BC Transit is introducing a new OnDemand transit option in Kelowna’s Lower Mission. Riders can request trips through the BC Transit OnDemand app, combining flexible pickups with regular route service. OnDemand trips will provide direct connections to destinations like H2O, Mission Village, Sarsons Beach Park, and the Mission Recreation Transit Exchange. The service is designed to reduce wait times and shorten travel times, giving local riders a more convenient and responsive transit experience.

Waterloo Region is set for major growth in public transit thanks to a $291-million funding commitment from federal, provincial, and regional governments, the largest single investment in the region’s transit history. The funding will support nine projects aimed at expanding access, improving reliability, and reducing emissions. A significant portion will go toward building the Kitchener Central Transit Hub, enhancing connections between local transit, GO service, and regional destinations. Additional funding will support upgrades to bus terminals, trails linking high-use transit stations, and pedestrian infrastructure.

Investments will also include new hybrid buses for Grand River Transit, refurbished bus stops and shelters, improved pedestrian crossings, and safer intersections. Construction on the Kitchener Central Transit Hub is expected to begin in spring 2026.

MiWay in Mississauga is rolling out several service upgrades in early 2026. Route 109 Meadowvale Express will run more frequently to meet growing demand in the city’s north end, with weekday service every 15 minutes during peak daytime hours and weekend service every 20 minutes during core hours. Route 35 Eglinton will now provide consistent eastbound and westbound service along Eglinton Avenue, with new stops near Ridgeway Plaza, improving connectivity across the network. City officials say these changes are designed to boost reliability, frequency, and overall transit access for riders.

These developments reflect how Canadian transit systems are evolving, embracing technology, increasing service, and making it easier and more enjoyable for riders to get around their communities.