Starting next year, Calgary transit users will face a fare increase to $4 for a single ride, positioning the city’s fares as higher than those in Edmonton, Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Toronto. The current fare of $3.80 is already considered relatively high and will rank among the pricier options once the approved hike takes effect. Additionally, monthly bus passes will rise from $118 to $126, still below the cost in some other major cities like Toronto, where a monthly pass costs $156.
Alex Williams, chair of the advocacy group Calgary Transit Riders, expressed frustration over the fare increase, noting its impact on monthly budgets and energy. Regular transit user Allan Thacker echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the cumulative effect of fare increases on riders purchasing multiple tickets.
While the city council approved the fare hike, Calgary’s mayor and Ward 9 Coun. Harrison Clark voiced concerns about the affordability and quality of transit services. They emphasized the need for increased revenues to translate into improved transit service and safety measures. To that end, the council allocated $6 million for enhancing transit service and an additional $9 million for safety improvements.
Calgary Transit’s long-term plan, Route Ahead, aims to provide service every 10 minutes, 15 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the primary transit network. However, funding challenges persist, with Director Sharon Fleming highlighting the need for $150 million over the next decade to meet service expectations. The city is also discontinuing express routes to downtown during peak hours, citing cost inefficiency and limited resource utilization.
As the city navigates these changes, transit advocates stress the importance of maintaining affordable and efficient public transportation services, especially for those relying on transit for daily commutes.