Calgary Transit’s downtown Free Fare Zone closer to the end of the line

A long‑standing Calgary transit perk could soon disappear, as city officials move closer to changing how people travel through the downtown core.

On Thursday, the Infrastructure and Planning Committee passed a notice of motion from Councillor Mike Jamieson directing administration to end the Free Fare Zone along 7 Avenue starting Aug. 1.

The motion passed in a 7-4 vote, opposed by councillors Nathaniel Schmidt, Myke Atkinson, Raj Dhaliwal and Andrew Yule.

The proposal still requires approval from city council as a whole before it can take effect.

According to details, a recent review by city administration cites safety concerns, financial pressures, and Calgary’s changing urban landscape as the key reasons for the proposed shift.

The Free Fare Zone, stretching from Downtown West–Kerby to City Hall–Bow Valley College stations, was originally created in 1981 to boost accessibility and mobility in the city’s core. But after 45 years, the administration says Calgary has evolved, and the program may no longer meet the needs of a growing city.

Council requested a now completed review that points to safety as the primary driver behind the recommendation. Officials argue that requiring fares would give peace officers clearer authority to address disorder on trains and platforms.

The report also notes that eliminating the zone could generate about $5 million annually for Calgary Transit.

Roughly 5.4 million trips occur within the zone each year, and administration estimates 1.8 million boardings could disappear if fares are introduced.

A public survey that was open from Feb. 16 to March 8 gathered feedback from Calgarians on the future of the service.

More transit changes

Committee is also looking at how the future of transit fares could evolve as part of the ongoing Route Ahead strategy update.

A new set of proposed fare principles would open the door to distance‑based pricing, time‑of‑day pricing, or premium surcharges for services such as express buses or airport routes. The same framework also considers expanding income‑based discounts to better match what riders can afford.

Transit officials say these ideas stem from a growing funding gap as the system works to expand service, improve safety, and maintain reliable frequency.

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

Over the past year, Calgary Transit has increased the presence of peace officers on the system, targeting 7 to 10 minute response times as part of its safety focus.

While the concepts are being presented now, any actual fare changes remain years away. A full update to the Route Ahead strategy is expected in 2027, with more detailed recommendations to follow.