Red Arrow plans new bus service between Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton

EDMONTON – Red Arrow Motorcoach is launching a cheaper alternative for bus passengers between Edmonton, Red Deer and Calgary.

The new daily scheduled service called Ebus will start taking reservations Monday, Oct. 17. Coaches are to start running Thursday, Oct. 20.

“It’s designed to be more of a value proposition for passengers out there,” said John Stepovy, general manager for Edmonton-based Red Arrow and Ebus.

“We feel that there’s a lot of people who are still driving that might not necessarily want or need all the luxuries of a Red Arrow coach,” he said Tuesday. “For the same price as a tank of gas, or even cheaper these days, they might be willing to ride the coach.”

Fares between Edmonton and Calgary cost $49. Customers who book online receive a $5 discount.

There will be four departures from Edmonton and Calgary on Sunday, Monday, Thursday and Friday. There are three departures on Tuesday and Wednesday and two departures on Saturday.

A similar Red Arrow fare is $69.

The Ebus operates from Red Arrow stations in the three cities, which also serve as ticketing agents for the new service.

The new Ebus will use the same 13.7-metre Prevost high-roof coaches as Red Arrow, but without frills such as on-board movies, satellite radio, a snack galley and the premium line’s more spacious seating. Forty-eight Ebus passengers sit in rows of two on either side of the aisle compared with rows of one and two on Red Arrow.

But Ebus coaches offer Wi-Fi, 110-volt power outlets, lap belts, footrests and extra legroom, Stepovy said.

“A lot of people are self-contained these days. You look at students, they bring whatever entertainment they need. They just need power.”

Stepovy said Ebus is a product of the provincial government opening the market. It had previously limited competition on some routes in exchange for operating less profitable runs between communities.

“This is a direct result of deregulation,” Stepovy said.