TransEd ousted as Valley Line Southeast operator, ETS to take over
Posted June 9, 2026 10:00 am.
Last Updated June 9, 2026 9:33 pm.
Edmonton is severing ties with the company responsible for one of its LRT lines.
TransEd will no longer operate the Valley Line Southeast, with operations being taken over by the Edmonton Transit Service (ETS).
The city says the decision was made “after careful analysis of the service requirements.”
“This transition will give the city improved flexibility in service delivery and provide greater long-term value for Edmontonians.”
TransEd, the public-private partnership consortium, was slated to provide operations and maintenance of the system until 2050 — meaning the ties are being cut more than two decades early.
“This decision is the outcome of a complex and diligent business case analysis to determine the most effective and financially responsible operating model for the entire 27-kilometre Valley Line. This is a business decision in the interests of taxpayers and transit riders—not a reflection on TransEd who has been a strong, collaborative partner throughout,” said Edmonton city manager Eddie Robar.
“ETS is well-positioned to adopt the Valley Line operations, and I’m confident we will do an excellent job supporting the commissioning of Valley Line West.”
A one- to two-year transition process will begin immediately.
“I want to assure staff of both TransEd and ETS that we are taking a very thoughtful approach to this transition. We value the skilled workers who operate and maintain LRT service in our network,” said ETS branch manager Carrie Hotton-MacDonald. “At this time, there will be no changes to the operations or maintenance of the Valley Line Southeast LRT.”
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TransEd Partners was selected to build and operate Edmonton’s Valley Line Southeast LRT in 2015. Construction on the 13-kilometre-long line connecting Mill Woods to Edmonton’s downtown began in 2016 and was supposed to be completed in 2020.
The opening of the line was postponed multiple times due to various complications, most notably when cracks were discovered on 18 of 44 concrete piers that support the elevated tracks.
The Valley Line Southeast LRT opened for passenger service in November 2023.
