Calgary Transit cancelling northwest express bus route by end of year

One of Calgary’s only direct bus lines from communities like Valley Ridge and Crestmont in the city’s northwest to the downtown core is about to be cut.

Route 70, also known as the Valley Ridge Express, is scheduled to shutdown at the end of 2025.

Some riders say that losing it isn’t just an inconvenience — it’s going to change their lives.

“I’ve been taking the 70 for 13 years, so I rely on it,” one woman told CityNews. “Just because it’s the only one that goes downtown now; when they put the CTrain on 17th, they took a lot of the bus routes off Bow Trail.

“I know it’s close for me, but I know all the people that are in Valley Ridge really rely on it.”

There is currently a petition to save the bus route with over 600 signatures.

Ward 1 Coun. Kim Tyers is also advocating to save the bus route.

But, Calgary Transit says Route 70 isn’t the only express route on the chopping block.

“There are only six remaining routes and as we transition to provide service more balanced across our city, we are slowly beginning to cancel those routes,” said Calgary Transit director Sharon Fleming.

2026 will see at least five more express routes discontinued, but the city says bus service in those areas will be enhanced overall.