City of Lethbridge Transit Study

Accessible public transit is a priority for municipal governments - reduced emissions, infrastructure costs and declining vehicle ownership all shape increasing demand. As a result, local governments face challenges in both meeting that demand, and understanding the variables that shape transit usage. For smaller communities, transportation is a key element of community economic development. To better understand that usage, and barriers to ridership for students, an online survey was conducted at the three local post-secondary institutions within the City of Lethbridge, triangulated with focus groups (N=14000, n=900). The results show both supply (City) and demand (student) dynamics, ranging from individual attitudes and behaviours to systems variables (transit infrastructure, route and fare information). By understanding the demand and supply sides of student transit use, this study situated ridership as not just a mobility intervention, but also a strategy to improve graduate and youth retention, livability and employment in a medium-sized city.