Transportation: Transit
Introduction
Calgary Transit, is a city-owned organization which runs the buses and light rail transit (the "LRT".
To use transit (except the free downtown LRT zone) you must pay a fare with exact change, tickets, bought in books of ten, or show a monthly bus pass. The LRT is used on the honor system, though enforced by transit police outside the downtown. LRT tickets can be bought form coin-operated dispensers on each platform. You should remember to validate tickets before boarding the LRT using the dispensers on the platforms.
| Fares: | Adult | Children |
One way: | $2.25 | $1.50 |
Day Pass: | $6.75 | $4.50 |
1-Ticket Book: | $19.50 | $13.00 |
Monthly Passes: | $75.00 | 47.00 |
Effective January 1, 2007 |
Premium Express fares ar regular fare + 50 cents.
Passes may be purchased at Calgary Transit Customer Services which is located
at 240 7th Ave SW, the Parker's C-Train station vendors, any Co-op, Safeway,
7-11 or Mac's convenience store. City transit passes allow the rider unlimited
use of buses and the LRT for the month purchased.
If you are visiting many places in one day with several stops along the
way, get a Day Pass (NOT a 24 hour pass). If you're travelling daily, you can save with a Monthly Pass. Senior citizens, resident in Calgary, can buy an annual pass at a reduced price. You can also purchase a booklets of 10 tickets for $14.50 for adults ($9.00 for children between 6 and 12).
Hours of Service
Major bus routes start around 5:30am and finish around 12:20am.
The southbound Somerset/Bridlewood C-Train leaves its station at 5:08am with the last
train leaving downtown at approx. 12:54am. The Northbound Dalhousie departs
for downtown at 5:52am and the Northeast bound Whitehorn train begins its
run at 5:46am. Last trains for both Dalhousie and Whitehorn leave downtown
at approx. 12:20am. (later during Stampede Week).
Customer Service & Information
There are several services to help you use Calgary Transit safely, effectively
and efficiently. For schedules and route information call 262-1000 Mon - Fri 6:00 am-11 pm and Sat & Sun 8:00 am-9:30 pm. A city transit representative will provide the best route based on your starting point and your destination. Feedback for Calgary Transit may
be given to the same phone number.
The Calgary Transit Customer Service Center, located at 240 7th Ave. SW., dispenses passes, tickets, lost & found, bus schedules or maps. Its hours are Monday to Friday from 8:30
am-5:00 pm.
Security and Safety
Calgary Transit has an extensive security network, including intercoms and help phones in all C-train stations and cars. In addition, each train station is under 24 hour video surveillance. Those who visually monitor stationscan quickly dispatch security officers if needed.
Access for Persons with Limited Mobility
Calgary Transit has taken several steps to make riding the bus and LRT easier
for everyone. All C-train stations and platforms are now accessible to people with limited mobility. The centre doors on each C-Train are marked with wheelchair decals and the vertical
grab bars are modified to allow wheelchair access. Lap belts on trains guard
against wheelchair movement.
Calgary Transit has been coverting its fleet to "kneeling busses") to accomodate the elderly and those in wheelchairs. These low floor busses are equipped with retractable ramps.
LRT
The C-Train operates on two routes. Route 201 ("Northwest/Southwest")
travels between Dalhousie in the Northwest to Somerset/Bridlewood in the Southwest. This
route provides service to: The University of Calgary, McMahon Stadium,
SAIT, Alberta College of Art, Jubilee Auditorium, Downtown, Stampede Park,
the Olympic Saddledome, Chinook Centre and the Macleod Trail shopping corridor, and Somerset is close to Spruce Meadows.
Route 202 ("Northeast") travels from
Whitehorn station in the Northeast to the 10th St. SW platform. This route
serves the Max Bell arena, the Calgary Zoo, and the 32 Street NE shopping corridor.
New stations are planned for the Northwest leg, extending the LRT to Crowfoot, and for the Northeast, extending that route to Westwinds by about 2008.
Downtown Free Fare Zone
One of former Mayor (now premier) Ralph Klein's legacies is the free rides on the LRT downtown. You can ride the LRT for free between any platforms along 7th Avenue. Just get off downtown. You cannot ride to the Stampede Grounds for free.
When not riding the Free Fare Zone, it is in your best interest to have
a valid train ticket or transfer. The fine for not having a valid ticket or transfer
is $150 for your first offense and $250 for any repeat offense.
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