The provincial government will spend $700,000 to fund a new bus route in Red Deer County that will stop in Red Deer, Springbrook, Penhold and Innisfail.

It’s part of an expanded pilot project to offer better public transportation in rural Alberta and comes two weeks after Greyhound announced it would end bus service in Western Canada this fall.

According to the government, the route will serve 11,000 residents without transit.

At the announcement in Medicine Hat on Wednesday, Premier Rachel Notley said the existing bus route travels from Red Deer, to Gasoline Alley, Springbrook, and back.

Two new routes would be introduced: one between Red Deer and Gasoline Alley, and the other covering stopping in the four municipalities.

“Regional transit funding will create even greater links between our communities, and will go a long way toward improved mobility for our residents. Being able to travel efficiently and safely is essential for our residents’ quality of life and the overall well-being of our connected communities,” said Red Deer County Mayor Jim Wood in a statement.

The province will also commit $700,000 to a bus project connecting 12 communities in the Lethbridge-Medicine Hat region.