Calgary Transit Funding Boost: More Support Needed for Service Improvements

In the upcoming city budget, Calgary Transit is slated for increased funding, yet officials express concerns regarding its sufficiency for improving services for residents.

During city hall's budget talks on Friday, transit leaders highlighted that the operating budget is projected to reach $417 million by 2025, with an additional $59 million anticipated for 2026 for both operating and capital needs.

Mayor Jeromy Farkas emphasized the strain on Calgary's transit, remarking, "We have plenty of bread but not enough butter," and called for enhanced investment.

The budget introduces $14 million aimed at increasing frequency on major bus routes, marking the initial phase of the RouteAhead strategy, which aspires to offer buses every 10 minutes for 15 hours daily, seven days a week.

Transit director Sharon Fleming acknowledged the additional funding but indicated that it still falls short of the long-term recommendations for annual spending. She also pointed out that the proposal lacks the $45 million needed annually to expand the bus fleet over the coming decade; without sufficient buses, improved service levels would be challenging.

While enhancements primarily focus on busy primary routes, local bus routes—part of the “base network”—aren’t slated for improvements under this budget. Ward 4 Councillor DJ Kelly expressed disappointment, stressing the importance of reliability on neighborhood routes for many commuters.

Presentations to council revealed that Calgary receives far less provincial support for transit compared to larger cities like Vancouver and Toronto. Experts noted that most provinces offer direct operating funds to maintain service, a support not currently seen in Alberta.

Some city councillors suggested potential cost-saving measures, such as eliminating the free fare zone downtown and stopping free rides for children under 12, costing about $10 million annually. Increasing adult fares to $4 was also proposed to generate revenue.

The budget outlines $25 million in one-time funding from reserves to support the Low Income Transit Pass, bringing its total funding to over $50 million for the coming year.

Mayor Farkas expressed his intent to advocate for further transit support from other government levels while working on reliability and safety improvements for users.

Next year, adult fares are set to rise by 10 cents, equating to a 2.6 percent increase.