Did You Know Calgary Is Reviewing The Downtown Free Fare Zone?
- ClearView Insider
- Mar 5
- 1 min read
Calgary Transit is conducting a customer survey (Feb. 16 – March 8, 2026) as part of a formal review of the CTrain Free Fare Zone along 7 Avenue, between Downtown West/Kerby and City Hall/Bow Valley College stations.
The Free Fare Zone has been in place since 1981. With significant population growth, shifting travel patterns and evolving downtown destinations, the City is reassessing its value and long-term role within the transit network.
Key considerations include:
- User behaviour within the downtown corridor
- Comparisons with fare structures in other jurisdictions
- Alignment with RouteAhead, Calgary Transit’s 30-year strategic plan
- Protecting existing funding sources
- Pursuing flexible, sustained future revenue streams
Findings from the survey and technical review will inform recommendations and contribute to an updated Fare Revenue Policy, including modernization of fare payment systems and transit products system-wide.
For Calgary’s commercial core, the Free Fare Zone has long supported short-distance mobility for office workers, retailers, hospitality operators and visitors. Any changes to fare structure or policy could influence downtown accessibility, foot traffic patterns and operating costs tied to employee commuting.
Participate in the survey before March 8:
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