Calgary high school students say overcrowding a major issue on city bus route

Some high school students in southeast Calgary are sounding the alarm about overcrowding on city buses to and from school.

Students from the community of New Brighton have had to pack into just one express bus to get to Lord Beaverbrook High School in Acadia, about 13 kilometres away, and parents are demanding action from Calgary Transit.

Some of the students tell CityNews the 716 bus from New Brighton gets so full during the morning commute that the driver can’t make certain stops — forcing some students to miss class and find other arrangements.

Others say they are fed up with being forced to stand on the bus every day for up to a half hour, while other students sit on top of each other or on the backs of seats.

One parent, Eve, says taking regular transit from the southeast community takes far too long and she’s worried about her daughter on the packed bus.

“Kids were just crushed into the bus, other kids were abandoned at the bus stop,” she says.

Her daughter Meeka says the bus is often so full that there is nothing for her to hold on to and she ends up fighting to keep from falling over the entire ride.

Another parent, Jackie Lively, says the teens need a mode of transit they can count on, especially with winter months approaching.

“I can’t even imagine, once it gets to -30 C, with the kids not being able to get on at the end of the day after school,” she says.

---

Calgary Transit says it is aware of the overcrowding on its buses and say they are looking at options to help meet the needs of all riders across the city.

“We’re optimistic that we can make some small adjustments by reallocating some of our service, but that won’t address the core issue of crowding on all of our transit service in peak periods,” says Chris Jordan with Calgary Transit, adding many other express buses to schools are facing similar overcrowding problems.

He says the buses cost $850,000 each and it can take up to 18 months to get them.

“We’re looking forward to the addition of more buses later this fall and in 2025,” Jordan says.

The Calgary Board of Education has also acknowledged the overcrowding, saying in a statement that “Calgary Transit’s regular routes also offer a reliable option for students, though these trips may require a transfer, we encourage families to explore all Calgary Transit options.”

The students say they hope Calgary Transit will step up and provide more bus service for the morning commute and the ride home.

There is no word when New Brighton could get another express bus.