In this blog post, we will discuss the public transit system in Calgary, Canada. Calgary is often referred to as a city built for cars, with an excellent roadway system and low traffic congestion. However, if you don’t own a car, you’ll need to rely on the city’s public transportation system, which features Light Rail Transit (LRT) and 169 different bus routes, as well as a door-to-door transportation service for people with disabilities called Access Calgary.
Here are some key highlights from the video guide above.
- Calgary’s public transit system features Light Rail Transit, 169 bus routes, and a door-to-door transportation service called Access Calgary.
- The light rail system, also known as the C train, has two current lines, the Blue and Red, with a third line under construction due to open in 2026.
- The cost to ride the train includes a single-use ticket, a book of 10 fares, or a monthly pass, with special options for seniors and low-income users.
- Calgary’s bus system has 266 routes with 6,151 bus stops and a recent addition called MAX bus offers more frequent services, fewer stops, dedicated lanes, and real-time information displays.
- Safety measures in place for public transit riders in Calgary include a dedicated bus issue response team, video cameras, GPS tracking, peace officers, and enhanced security guards at every station.
Calgary’s LRT system, called the C train, has over 118 kilometers of double track, 46 station park and ride lots, and serves more than 50% of Calgary’s downtown workforce. The system operates much like a metro, with the exception of the fair-free zone in the downtown core, which operates more like an urban tramway due to the density of the stations there. The C train began operation in 1981 and has since expanded as the city’s population has grown. Currently, the system is made up of two separate lines, the Blue line and the Red line, with a third line under construction due to open its first phase in 2026.
The Red line services the Northwest Quadrant and south end of the city, beginning at the Tuscany station, running through the downtown core on 7th Ave, and then proceeding southbound where it ends at Somerset and Bridlewood. The Blue line runs through the West quadrant of the city, starting at the 69th Street Station, continuing through several stations until it meets up with the Red line through the downtown core on 7th Ave. The Blue line then turns North at City Hall station and runs along Memorial Drive, servicing eight stops in the Northeast after the Calgary Zoo.
Calgary’s bus system features a total of 266 routes with 6,151 bus stops in total, with several main terminals located throughout the city. While the bus system is extensive, it will never have the dependability of a train as traffic and delays can occur, and bus stops are dramatically less frequent than their railed counterparts. Calgary also implemented a new bus system in recent years called MAX bus, which offers a number of benefits, including more frequent services, fewer stops, dedicated bus lanes, signal priority, heated shelters, real-time information displays, and more direct connections throughout the city.
In terms of costs, you can opt to pay for a single-use that would be valid for 90 minutes, purchase a book of 10 fares, or purchase a monthly pass. The downtown leg of the transit line is free to ride, which means if you are traveling from the 12th Street Station to the 3rd Street station along 7th Ave, you do not need to pay.
Now the question that many people have been asking, is Calgary’s public transit system safe to ride? Here are a few measures that the city has put in place to ensure riders’ safety. There is a dedicated bus issue response team that will respond to unruly customers, and they have radio access to the bus control center. Onboard video cameras consistently record, and bus locations are tracked by a global positioning satellite system, so customers can rest assured that there are many safety measures taken into consideration by the city.
The train line also has additional safety measures, including peace officers who patrol the system 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The city is also increasing the number of peace officers by 25% in 2023, bringing the total to 141 officers in the system. There is also ongoing recruitment and training of enhanced security guards to actively patrol the system. Every station is equipped with cameras that are monitored by a security staff or in direct contact with the police.
Overall, Calgary’s public transit system is a great option for getting around the city, and the city’s ongoing investment in the system is a positive sign for its future. For those looking to reduce their carbon footprint, save money on transportation, or simply avoid the stress of driving in a busy urban area, Calgary’s public transit is an excellent choice.
