Starting in January, Calgary transit users will face a $4 charge for a one-way ticket, a fare that remains higher than several major cities such as Edmonton, Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Toronto. The current fare of $3.80 already positions Calgary on the higher end, a trend that will continue with the approved fare increase by the city council.
Monthly bus pass rates are also increasing to $126 from $118, placing Calgary below 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 hike, citing its impact on budgeting and daily routines.
Regular transit user Allan Thacker found the current fares expensive and anticipates the increase will significantly raise costs over time, especially for bulk ticket purchases. Mayor of Calgary, Jeromy Farkas, voted against the fare increase, acknowledging the public dissatisfaction with the current service levels.
Ward 9 Coun. Harrison Clark also voiced his disapproval of the fare hike, emphasizing the contradiction of lowering property taxes while increasing transit costs. Both officials hope for improved transit service and safety with the increased revenues from the fare hike.
The city council allocated $6 million to enhance transit service, aiming to improve reliability, coverage, and connections for commuters. An additional $9 million was earmarked for safety enhancements amid rising concerns over violence on transit.
The sprawling nature of Calgary presents challenges in funding transit compared to more compact cities, according to Williams. Calgary Transit’s Route Ahead blueprint aims for more frequent service to meet the city’s growing needs.
Express routes to and from downtown during peak hours are being phased out over the next two years. Calgary Transit cited the high cost and inefficiency of these routes as reasons for their discontinuation. Commuters like Hesam Ghadirijavan are petitioning to save certain express routes due to the significant impact on commute times.
Williams highlighted transit as a necessity and invited councillors to experience firsthand the daily challenges faced by transit users, particularly during winter.