Is a 90 minute transfer window enough to cross Calgary via transit?

Calgary’s rapid growth has city council rethinking whether a 90‑minute transit ticket still gives riders enough time to get from one end of the city to the other.

To put that question to the test Wednesday, CityNews reporter Phoenix Phillips set out on a full‑length journey, from Carrington in the far north to Somerset‑Bridlewood in the deep south with a single $4 fare.

The trip began at 11 a.m. aboard bus 124, the first of several connections needed to cross Calgary’s sprawl with a transfer valid until 12:30 p.m.

A short nine‑minute ride led to the second bus, the MG route toward the city centre. That leg alone was scheduled for 34 minutes, offering plenty of time to hear from fellow riders about the proposed extension.

Godwin, who has relied on transit for two years, didn’t hesitate when asked whether a 90‑minute window is enough.

“Getting from Tuscany to somewhere like McKenzie where I stay is (expletive),” he said. “I need to get a two‑way ticket.”

Owen, a six‑year transit user, pointed to rising fares as another pressure point.

“Last year it was $3.70, the year before that it was $3.50, now it’s up to $4,” he said.

Godwin laughed at the idea of making it from one end of Calgary to the other on a single fare.

“No way,” he said. “It’s not possible.”

By the time the trip reached the CTrain platform downtown, 45 minutes remained on the transfer, with a 35-minute train ride still ahead. A well‑timed Red Line train kept the journey alive.

When the train arrived at the final stop at 12:18 p.m., only 12 minutes remained on the 90‑minute ticket. The cross‑city challenge had succeeded, but there was little time left for unforeseen delays.

“There were moments along the trip that were getting me a little nervous,” Phillips said. “Knowing that we could have an additional 30 minutes added to our transit pass, that would be something to consider.”

Ward 12 Coun. Mike Jamieson, who introduced the motion to extend transfers to 120 minutes, argues the current window doesn’t reflect real‑world conditions.

His notice of motion cites traffic congestion, weather, accessibility needs, and system complexity as reasons the city should give riders more time.