Okotoks Commuter Shutting Down, Towns Seek New Solutions

0:00It's April 23rd. From your city to your ears, this is Calgary News today, powered by AI. I'm Corey with the story. Commuters from Okotaks to downtown Calgary are losing a key ride option. Southland's on-it regional is shutting down the Okotaks commuter after nearly 10 years with the last run on May 29th. Blaming on an old fleet that's too pricey to replace, plus skyrocketing operating costs, making the whole thing unsustainable. One-use tickets get refunded from June 1st through June 12th. Back in 2017, a pilot program flopped due to low ridership and high-cost per rider, so Okotaks shifted to local buses and on-demand, rise that better match demand inside town. Residents hit hardest are those heading to Calgary for jobs or school, leaving them scrambling. In Chestermir, folks lean on the Rocky View handy bus, or Calgary's MX Purple Extension, which logged about 16,665.

1:00Trips in 2025. Strathmore's council shot down a push for small transit links, citing too many unanswered questions and big subsidy bills for their 16,000. Residents. Towns are eyeing new providers or partnerships to fill the gap. Chestermir's council backed hybrid transit models, and once funding reviews by July 20th, plus deeper ties with Calgary on routes. Like 106. Okotaks plans to watch for fresh options, and Strathmore wonders about hitching on to longer halls like medicine hat to Calgary. Municipal leaders keep stressing the need for provincial or federal cash to make regional rides stick around these growing spots outside Calgary.