Go Behind the Scenes at ETS This Fall: Free Open Houses for Train and Bus Lovers

If you've got a kid who can't get enough of trains and buses, this fall is shaping up to be a good one. Edmonton Transit Service (ETS) is opening the doors at two of its garages for free, family-friendly open houses — one for train fans, one for bus fans — and both let you get closer to the vehicles than you ever can at a regular stop.

Trains? Head to D.L. MacDonald Garage - Saturday, September 26

The train open house runs from 10am to 3pm at D.L. MacDonald Garage (13310 50A Street NW). Wander around the garage, peek inside the trains, and let the kids climb into the operator's seat. ETS staff will be around all day to answer any transit questions your young rail fan has been saving up.

There's no public parking onsite, so ETS is running a free shuttle from Belvedere Transit Centre every 15 minutes between 9:50am and 3pm — an easy way to make the trip part of the fun.

Buses? Head to Ferrier Garage - Saturday, October 3

A week later, it's the bus fans' turn. Ferrier Garage (8620 58 Ave NW) opens its doors from 10am to 3pm for a look around the garage, a chance to step inside a real bus, and yes — a turn in the driver's seat.

Again, there's no onsite parking, but getting there is simple: hop on Route 6 Southgate from Davies Transit Centre, which runs every 15 minutes and drops you just a two-minute walk from the garage. Davies Transit Centre has free parking and is also reachable by Valley Line train.

Or, Do Both - and turn this fall into a full transportation learning experience

Two Saturdays, two free events, and a rare chance for kids to see the machines that move the city up close. If your family has a transit superfan, this is worth circling on the calendar.