Dieppe set to roll out transit expansion in August

Dieppe residents will soon see a dramatically expanded public transit network as the city prepares to launch the first phase of a major transit growth plan that has been years in the making.

The new network, scheduled to begin operating Aug. 23, will double the number of transit routes in the city from three to six and increase the number of bus stops from 102 to 188.

“This is essentially a complete redesign of the network,” said Jerémie Aubé, Dieppe’s director of urban mobility. “It’s been the result of a few years of work.”

The project began with the creation of Dieppe’s Transit Growth Plan in 2023. Public consultations followed in the fall of 2024, allowing residents and transit users to share what they wanted from an improved system. City staff then spent much of 2025 redesigning the network in collaboration with Codiac Transpo and other partners.

According to Aubé, the changes represent far more than a simple route adjustment.

“We essentially redesigned the entire network that we have in Dieppe,” he said. “We’re adding routes, adding stops and bringing service into areas that didn’t previously have transit access.”

While the network is changing significantly, riders can expect the service itself to function much the same way it does today. Buses will continue on fixed routes with designated stops, but those routes will operate over an expanded service area, including areas not previously covered.

The city has also invested in additional vehicles to support the expanded service. Five new buses were purchased last year as part of the growth plan and are already part of the operating fleet.

The buses, however, are not electric.

While fleet electrification remains on the city’s radar, Aubé said transitioning to electric transit involves much more than simply purchasing new vehicles.

“You need the charging infrastructure and the supporting network as well,” he said. “It’s a much bigger project than just replacing the buses.”

Residents looking to familiarize themselves with the changes can visit dieppe.ca/autobus, where route maps and transit information are available. The city has also partnered with the Citymapper app, allowing users to preview how trips will look under the new network before it officially launches.

The upcoming changes represent only the first phase of Dieppe’s long-term vision for transit.

Aubé said the city is already examining future phases that could include new routes, higher service frequencies and expanded coverage in developing areas.

With Dieppe continuing to experience strong population growth and increased residential density, city officials see transit as a critical component of the community’s future transportation network.

“Transit is really the backbone of those mobility options,” Aubé said. “We want to provide people with choices for how they move around the city.”

Calling the Aug. 23 launch a “transformative change” for Dieppe, Aubé said staff will closely monitor the rollout and make adjustments where necessary.

“We’re really excited to see it going,” he said. “And we’re excited for what’s coming in future phases as well.”