Navigating public transportation in a new city can seem daunting, especially when it comes to a city as large as Edmonton. Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) is the city's public transportation system, serving Edmonton and some surrounding municipalities. It includes an extensive bus network, three light rail transit (LRT) lines, and specialized on-demand transit services for certain areas of the city. To use this system effectively, it is important to know where and how to find up-to-date information about schedules, track your bus in real time, and plan the best route to your destination.
In this comprehensive article, we will take a detailed look at all the available ways to get ETS schedule information, from official city tools to third-party apps used by millions of passengers every day. You will learn how to use each tool, their advantages and disadvantages, and how to choose the best option for your needs.
ETS Official Website: Transportation Information Hub
The most comprehensive and official source of information about Edmonton's public transit is the City of Edmonton's website at www.edmonton.ca/ets. This is the primary resource, maintained directly by Edmonton Transit Service, and contains the most accurate information about routes, schedules, service changes, and all transit-related announcements.
On this website, you will find a section called “Route Brochures and Maps”, which lists all current bus routes in PDF format. These brochures are updated five times a year with each service change. This means that approximately every two to three months, ETS reviews customer feedback, service levels, and routes to ensure that they are providing the right amount of service at the right time. Changes may include adding new routes, adjusting departure times, changing bus frequencies, or even canceling some routes.
Each route brochure contains a detailed schedule indicating timing points—special stops along the route where buses must pass at specific times. On route maps, these points are marked with letters in circles that correspond to the columns in the schedule. To find the time when the bus arrives at a particular stop, read down the column under the name of that location. To find out how long it will take the bus to travel between different points, read the row from left to right. For example, if you want to get to Capilano Transit Centre at 8:22 a.m., you need to catch the bus at the 100 Street & 104 Avenue stop at 7:55 a.m.
It is important to note that printed brochures are also available in physical format at Edmonton public libraries, West Edmonton Mall, and Grey Nuns Community Hospital. This is useful for those who do not have constant access to the internet or prefer to plan their trips with paper schedules.
In addition to bus schedules, the official ETS website also provides information about LRT stations and train frequency. Edmonton's light rail transit system has three lines: the Capital Line (connecting Clareview in the northeast with Century Park in the south), the Metro Line (running from NAIT/Blatchford Market in the north to Health Sciences/Jubilee in the south), and the Valley Line (connecting Mill Woods in the southeast with downtown at 102 Street). LRT schedules typically show the frequency of service at different times of the day rather than specific departure times, as trains run regularly at intervals of 5 to 15 minutes depending on the line and time of day.
The website also contains several different types of system maps: Day Service Map, Late Night Service Map, Downtown Map, System Map, and On Demand Transit Map. All of these maps can be downloaded in PDF format and printed for ease of use.
ETS Trip Planner: the city's official trip planner
In June 2025, Edmonton Transit Service launched its own ETS Trip Planner, replacing the previous third-party tool. It is a first-class tool that is directly connected to the ETS system to provide the most up-to-date information through notifications, real-time bus tracking, and schedule information.
The new trip planner is available on the official ETS website at takeETS.com or through the “ETS Trip Tools” section on edmonton.ca. It allows you to enter the starting point of your trip (address or stop) and your destination, as well as specify your desired departure or arrival time. The system will automatically suggest several route options with detailed information about which bus or train to take, where to transfer, how long the entire trip will take, and how much walking is required.
One of the biggest advantages of the updated planner is that it also provides information about regional transit partners, including Strathcona County, Fort Saskatchewan, St. Albert, Beaumont, Leduc, and Spruce Grove. This means that if you are planning a trip from Edmonton to a neighboring city or vice versa, the planner will show you the best option using different transportation systems. The old ETS Live tools will automatically redirect users to the new trip planner.
However, it's worth noting that some users on Reddit mention that the official ETS Trip Planner can sometimes be less convenient than alternative tools, as search results don't always include links to the full schedule for a specific route or stop numbers. This can make planning difficult if you want to see all the bus departure times from a specific stop.
Google Maps: a universal tool for navigating public transportation
Many passengers consider Google Maps to be the best tool for planning public transportation trips in Edmonton. ETS officially recommends using Google Maps on your smartphone or computer because it uses ETS data in real time in a familiar and intuitive interface.
The main advantage of Google Maps is that it does not require knowledge of stop numbers or specific routes—you just need to know the address of where you are leaving from and where you need to go. This makes it much more convenient than the official ETS Trip Planner for people who are unfamiliar with the transit system.
How to use Google Maps for Edmonton public transportation:
Open the Google Maps app on your smartphone or go to maps.google.com on your computer. Enter your starting address or allow the app to determine your current location via GPS. Click on the “Directions” icon or button. Enter the address of your destination. Select the “Public Transit” icon—usually an image of a bus or train. Google Maps will show you several route options with the total travel time, cost, departure time of the next bus or train, number of transfers, and distance you will need to walk.
Additional Google Maps features for transportation include the “Depart at” or “Arrive by” options, which allow you to plan your trip for a specific time in the future. There are also step-by-step navigation instructions with voice prompts to help you avoid getting lost during transfers. You can set up notifications for approaching stops so you don't miss your exit. The app shows accessibility information, including stair-free route options for people with disabilities.
Users on Reddit often mention that Google Maps works much better than the official ETS Trip Planner, especially for people who are not very familiar with the transport system. Most passengers use Google Maps to plan their trips because it offers the most accurate departure times and the most convenient interface. However, some passengers have noticed that in recent months (as of mid-2025), Google Maps sometimes offers illogical routes or does not recognize some stops. In such cases, it is helpful to verify the information using alternative tools.
Transit App: A popular third-party app with community features
Transit App (transitapp.com) is one of the most popular third-party apps for tracking public transportation in North America, and it also works great in Edmonton. Edmonton Transit Service even officially recommended this app for a period of time.
Transit App combines data from ETS and Google Maps and also uses crowdsourced data from other passengers, making it particularly accurate for real-time bus tracking. The app is free to download but includes additional paid features (in-app purchases) for premium users.
The main features of the Transit App for Edmonton include real-time bus and LRT tracking with their exact location shown on a map. The app shows arrival predictions with information on how many minutes until your bus arrives. There are stop and schedule alerts to remind you when to get off. The trip planner with step-by-step directions helps you plan multimodal routes. Live and offline route maps work even without an internet connection.
The one-tap “Get Me Home” feature is especially useful, quickly planning a route to your home. There are also customizable widgets for quick access to information about your favorite stops right from your phone's home screen. The app shows bus crowdedness information, which gives you an idea of how full the bus is before you get on. There are notifications about delays, detours, and service changes directly from ETS. Transit App also integrates with voice assistants such as Siri for voice commands.
Many users on Reddit note that Transit App was once very accurate, and many people consider it the best choice for Edmonton. However, some complain that recently (2025), accuracy has declined somewhat, possibly due to changes in the ETS API or the launch of a new official city app. Some passengers mention that warnings appear stating that real-time tracking is unavailable. Nevertheless, for most passengers, Transit App remains one of the best options for quickly obtaining information about when the next bus is arriving.
ETS Text & Ride: quick information via SMS
For those who don't have a smartphone or want to get information quickly without using apps or the internet, ETS offers the ETS Text & Ride service. This is a free text messaging service that allows you to get bus schedules directly to your mobile phone in seconds.
How to use ETS Text & Ride:
Find the stop number on your bus stop sign. Each ETS stop has a unique five-digit number, which is usually indicated on a small sticker on the stop pole. Send a text message with the stop number to 31100. Within a few seconds, you will receive a reply with information about the arrival times of the next buses serving that stop.
If you only want information about a specific route at that stop, you can send a message in the format: [stop number] [space] [route number]. For example, if your stop number is 2002 and you want to find out about bus route 4, send “2002 4” to 31100.
This is a very convenient method, especially when you are already at the stop and want to quickly find out how long you have to wait for the bus. Many passengers note that this method is almost always accurate and provides information in advance. Some passengers even write down the numbers of their most frequently used stops in their phone or notebook so they always have them handy. Reddit users recommend using a combination of Google Maps for trip planning and texting 31100 when you are ready to leave home.
BusLink: automated telephone information service
For those who prefer to receive information by voice or are unable to use text messaging, ETS offers BusLink, an automated telephone service that operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
To use BusLink, call 780-496-1600. The automated system will ask you for your stop number and route number, then provide information about the schedule and arrival times of the next buses. This service is automated and does not require you to speak to an operator.
If you are calling from outside Edmonton or have questions that require assistance from a live person, you can use the city's general number 311 (or 780-442-5311 for calls from outside the city) to speak with a customer service representative who can assist you with transportation questions. Customer service is available 24 hours a day and can help not only with schedule information, but also with questions about fares, Arc Cards, lost items, and complaints or compliments about service.
For people with hearing or speech impairments, a TTY service is available at 780-944-5555 or the general number 711. For lost items, you can also call a special number 780-496-1622 and leave a message.
Real-time bus tracking: Smart Bus technology
All regular ETS buses are equipped with Smart Bus technology, which provides real-time bus location information to passengers and the ETS dispatch center. This technology uses GPS and other systems to accurately track every bus in the system.
There are several ways to track your bus in real time:
Transit55.ca is a dedicated website for tracking Edmonton buses in real time. It displays a live map of all buses in the system, where you can see their exact location, speed, and deviation from the schedule. Buses are shown in different colors: green means the bus is running on schedule, red means it is late, and blue means it is ahead of schedule. This is very useful when you want to know if there is another bus on the same route ahead of or behind the one you are waiting for. Many Reddit users recommend Transit55 as a great tool for checking the real-time location of buses.
TransSee.ca is another web application for tracking buses in real time. It works in any browser, so it supports all smartphones and devices. TransSee provides arrival predictions based on historical speed data, shows bus occupancy, allows you to set arrival alerts, and even has a feature for drivers that shows schedule adherence and the distance to buses ahead and behind. A unique feature of TransSee is that it can generate its own predictions based on actual historical travel times, rather than just adjusted scheduled times. It can also generate a forecast range so you know when you need to be at the stop to catch the bus, as well as the latest time you can still catch it.
ETS Live Bus Finder is the official ETS bus tracking tool, available at takeETS.com/ETSLive. It allows you to track buses by stop number or view their location on a map in real time. The tool works on both computers and mobile devices. To use ETS Live Bus Finder, enter the stop number and the system will show you the departure times of the next buses from that stop. You can also view a real-time map showing the location of buses equipped with Smart Bus technology.
Third-party apps such as Transit App, Edmonton ETS Bus Tracker, and others also use Smart Bus data to show the exact location of buses. Many users use a combination of different tools: Google Maps for trip planning, Transit App for checking the next bus, and Transit55.ca to see where the buses are actually located.
Specialized apps for Edmonton
In addition to Transit App, there are several other third-party apps designed specifically for Edmonton Transit:
Edmonton ETS Bus Tracker (also known as Edmonton Transit - ETS RT) is an app available on the App Store and Google Play that provides live bus and LRT tracking, stop and schedule alerts, trip planning, offline route maps, and customizable widgets. Users highly rate this app for its real-time data accuracy and user-friendly interface. One review on the App Store says, “This app is way better than the official one. The live ETS times are actually accurate, and the trip planner gets me where I need to go without any guesswork.” The app is free but includes optional premium features through in-app purchases.
The app covers all Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) buses and Capital and Metro LRT lines. It shows real-time bus and train arrival times, lets you check how full a bus is before boarding, and provides instant notifications of delays, detours, or service changes. Whether you're commuting to work downtown, heading to the University of Alberta, or catching the LRT home after the game, Edmonton ETS Bus Tracker keeps you up to date with everything you need to know.
Edmonton Bus LRT Map (Offline) is an app that specializes in offline maps of the entire ETS system. It contains a complete set of official high-resolution maps, where station names are clear and large enough for easy identification. This is useful for passengers who want to plan their trips without a constant internet connection.
trains.fyi/networks/edmonton/ is a specialized LRT train tracker that shows a live map of all trains in the Edmonton LRT system. Statistics are updated in real time based on current train data. This is a great tool for those who want to see the exact location of all trains on all lines at once.
Edmonton On Demand Transit: transportation on demand
For some areas of Edmonton where traditional bus routes are not effective due to low population density, ETS has introduced the On Demand Transit system. This is a shuttle service that operates on demand and takes passengers to the nearest transit center or LRT station.
To use On Demand Transit, you need to download the Edmonton On Demand Transit app to your smartphone. The app is available for free on the App Store and Google Play. Once you've registered, you can book trips directly through the app.
The trip booking process consists of four steps:
Step One: Registration. Create an account in the app. This will allow you to receive text notifications about shuttle arrival times, book new trips faster, and create a profile with your travel preferences. Having an account provides several benefits, including the ability to quickly rebook previous trips.
Step Two: Booking a Trip. Set your pickup location by moving the pin on the map or entering an address in the search bar. Then set your drop-off location—the map will show you the transit hub you can travel to. The app will find the best transportation option for you in real time. If there are several options available, you can choose between different offers. Once you have selected an offer, click “book this ride.”
Step Three: Find and track your ride. After booking, the app will provide you with the vehicle ID number and the pickup location where you will board the shuttle. It will also provide optional walking directions to this location. As the shuttle approaches, check the ID number to confirm that it is the shuttle you booked. You can also track the location of your shuttle in real time through the app. Users note that the app shows where your bus is in near real time, although the bus is usually about a block further away than the app shows.
Step Four: Booking your return trip. To book your return trip, follow the same process described in step two.
On Demand Transit is especially useful for trips in the morning and evening hours when regular buses run less frequently, or when you are in an area where there is no direct bus service to your destination. However, users warn that during peak hours (approximately 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 4:00 to 7:00 p.m.), it can be difficult to find available On Demand buses. If you are trying to book a trip during peak hours, expect that there may not be any buses available.
As of November 2025, ETS has added new On Demand Transit stops in the Aster and Tamarack areas with service to Meadows Transit Centre and The Meadows Community Recreation Centre. Also, On Demand Transit is no longer available in West Jasper Place as construction on Valley Line West has been completed for the season and Route 7 has returned to regular service.
LRT Information: Schedules and Train Frequency
Edmonton's Light Rail Transit (LRT) system operates slightly differently than buses. Instead of exact schedules with departure times from each station, the LRT operates on a fixed frequency of train service at different times of the day.
The Capital Line connects Clareview in the northeast with Century Park in the south. The frequency on weekdays is as follows: during the morning rush hour (6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.), trains run every 6 minutes; midday (9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) – every 10 minutes; evening rush hour (2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) – every 6 minutes; evening (6:00 p.m. to end of service) – every 15 minutes. On weekends (Saturday and Sunday), trains run every 15 minutes throughout the day. The first train departs from Century Park at approximately 5:13 a.m. on weekdays. The regular Capital Line schedule runs from 5:13 a.m. to 12:55 a.m. (around midnight).
The Metro Line runs from NAIT/Blatchford Market in the north to Health Sciences/Jubilee in the south. Frequency on weekdays: during the morning rush hour (6:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.) – every 12 minutes; midday (9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) – every 15 minutes; evening rush hour (2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) – every 12 minutes; evening (6:00 p.m. to end of service) – every 15 minutes. On weekends, trains run every 15 minutes throughout the day. The first train departs from Health Sciences/Jubilee at approximately 5:54 a.m. and from NAIT at approximately 5:57 a.m. on weekdays.
The Valley Line connects Mill Woods in the southeast with the city center at 102 Street. Weekday frequency: during the morning rush hour (6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.) – every 5 minutes; midday (10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) – every 10 minutes; during the evening rush hour (from 2:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.) – every 5 minutes; in the evening (from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.) – every 10 minutes; late at night (after 9:30 p.m.) – every 15 minutes. On Saturdays, trains run every 10 minutes until 6:30 p.m., then every 15 minutes. On Sundays, trains run every 15 minutes throughout the day.
The exact times of the first and last trains can be found directly at LRT stations, where information displays show the arrival times of the next trains in real time.
Printed schedules and maps: where to find them
Although most people now use digital tools, some passengers still prefer to have printed schedules and maps. ETS makes them available at several locations throughout the city:
Edmonton Public Libraries – Most library branches have racks with ETS route brochures. West Edmonton Mall – You can also find printed schedules at this large shopping mall. Grey Nuns Community Hospital – The hospital has a transportation information desk. Transit Centres throughout the city usually have brochures for the routes that serve that particular centre.
All of these printed materials are regularly updated to reflect the five annual service changes. All maps and brochures are also available for download in PDF format on the official ETS website under “Route Brochures and Maps.”
Service Change Notifications
ETS regularly makes changes to schedules and routes based on customer feedback, seasonal needs, and construction work. To stay up to date with these changes, there are several ways to receive notifications:
@takeETSalert on X (Twitter) is the official ETS account for general service notifications. It posts information about delays, detours, accidents, and other events affecting transportation. ETS Connect – you can subscribe to monthly e-newsletters about schedule changes, stop closures, and construction notices. App notifications – Most transit apps, such as Transit App, Google Maps, and Edmonton ETS Bus Tracker, automatically show alerts about delays and service changes on the routes you are viewing.
The ETS official website has a “Service Changes” and “Alerts and Service Impacts” section where all planned changes are posted several weeks in advance. For example, in November 2025, ETS announced changes that would begin on November 30, including modifications to various bus routes to reflect typical fall ridership patterns.
There are also special holiday schedules. For example, on Christmas and New Year's Eve, ETS operates on a modified schedule: On December 25, buses and LRT operate on a reduced Sunday schedule; on December 26, they operate on a Saturday schedule; On December 31, from 6:00 p.m. until the end of service, all transportation (buses, LRT, and DATS) is free, and some routes have extended service until 3:00 a.m.; on January 1, they operate on a Sunday schedule.
Special Routes and Services
In addition to regular bus routes and LRT, ETS offers several specialized services:
Route 747 is a direct service between Century Park Transit Centre and Edmonton International Airport. It operates 7 days a week and is the fastest way to get to the airport by public transport. The fare for Route 747 is $5. The Route 747 schedule can be found in a separate brochure on the ETS website or at the airport.
OWL routes (Night Owls) – ETS provides extended service on five bus routes until approximately 3:00 a.m., 7 days a week. These routes are very useful for people who work night shifts or return home late at night after events. A separate Late Night Service Map shows all OWL routes.
Fares and Payment: What You Need to Know
While this article focuses on schedules, it is also important to know the basic information about fares. As of 2025, the basic ETS fares are:
Arc Card Pay-As-You-Go: $3.00 for a 90-minute trip within Edmonton. Cash: $3.75 (bus drivers do not give change). 90-minute Arc ticket: $3.75. 24-hour Arc ticket: $10.50. Airport service (Route 747): $5.00.
It is important to note that the LRT is a free zone in the city center between Churchill and Central stations, which means you can travel between these stations for free as long as you do not exit the zone.
Transportation Safety
ETS takes passenger safety seriously. If you feel threatened, are being harassed, encounter disorderly conduct, or notice suspicious behavior or packages, you can contact Transit Watch at 780-442-4900 (call or text). This number connects you directly to ETS staff at the Control Center, who can view the interior of buses through a camera system and dispatch security resources as needed. In case of an emergency, always call 911.
Tips for using the transit system effectively
Now that you're familiar with all the tools and resources, here are some practical tips for getting the most out of Edmonton Transit:
Always check the schedule before leaving home, especially on weekends when bus service may be less frequent. Bookmark your favorite routes and stops in your browser or add them to your smartphone's home screen for quick access. Write down the numbers of the stops you use most often so you can quickly send text requests to 31100.
Download a few different apps and see which one works best for you—some people prefer the Transit App, others prefer Google Maps or specialized apps. Many passengers use a combination of tools: Google Maps for planning, Transit App or texting 31100 for real-time updates, and Transit55.ca to track the exact location of buses.
Arrive at the stop about 5 minutes before the scheduled departure time so you don't miss the bus. Keep in mind that traffic delays can change arrival times. Use the offline map features in apps if you don't always have access to mobile internet. Keep an eye out for service change notifications, especially during the summer construction season.
Conclusion: information always at your fingertips
Edmonton's modern public transportation system offers numerous ways to get up-to-date information on bus and LRT schedules. From the official ETS website with detailed PDF brochures to modern apps with real-time tracking, from simple text messages to sophisticated trip planners, every passenger can find the tool that best suits their needs and level of technical literacy.
Key points to remember:
The official ETS website (edmonton.ca/ets) has the most complete and accurate information, including PDF brochures for all routes, which are updated five times a year. ETS Trip Planner is the city's new proprietary trip planner with integration of regional transit partners. Google Maps is the most convenient tool for most users, as it does not require knowledge of stop numbers and offers intuitive navigation.
Transit App is a popular third-party app with crowdsourced data and rich features. ETS Text & Ride (31100) is a quick way to get a schedule via SMS if you know the stop number. BusLink (780-496-1600) is an automated telephone service that operates 24 hours a day. Smart Bus technology allows you to track buses in real time through various websites and apps. LRT operates on a fixed frequency rather than exact schedules, with intervals ranging from 5 to 15 minutes depending on the line and time of day.
Whether you are new to the Edmonton Transit system or an experienced passenger, using a combination of these tools will help you plan your trips efficiently, reduce wait times, and navigate the city with confidence. Keep in mind that information is constantly being updated, so check schedules regularly and stay tuned for service change notifications to stay up to date on the latest Edmonton transit news.