Summary#

Calgary City Council approved extending Calgary Transit transfers from 90 to 120 minutes, effective January 1, 2027. Calgary Transit will make the change; Council did not approve the requested funding, but referred a request for $2 million in yearly base operating funds to future budget talks. City staff say the goal is to give customers more time to travel on one fare.

• A single cash fare or ticket will allow unlimited travel and transfers for 120 minutes.
• Council also directed City staff to consider other funding opportunities if they become available before the 2027–2030 budget deliberations.
• The final motion carried 12 to 3. Councillors Wyness, Chabot and Schmidt voted against it.

What it means for you#

• Calgary Transit customers: Starting January 1, 2027, customers using a cash fare or ticket will have an extra 30 minutes to travel and transfer before needing another fare.
• Calgary Transit and taxpayers: The City has not approved the $2 million in annual base funding. The request will be considered during the 2027–2030 budget deliberations, unless another funding opportunity is available sooner.
• People who rely on more frequent or reliable service: City staff warned that, without additional funding, lost fare revenue could add pressure to Calgary Transit’s finances and lead to the cancellation of service planned for September 2026. The decision does not itself cancel that service.

Money#

City staff estimate the change will reduce fare revenue by about $2 million per year.

• That is an estimated revenue loss, not funding Council approved.
• The estimate does not include further losses from future fare increases or ridership growth. City staff say customer behaviour could also lead to greater losses than estimated.

What is unclear#

• Whether the $2 million request will be approved in the 2027–2030 budget, or whether other funding will be found sooner.
• How much fare revenue the change will actually reduce; the estimate depends partly on expected changes in customer behaviour.
• How this change will fit with the updated fare strategy City staff expect to bring forward by the end of the first quarter of 2027.

Case for#

• City staff say the longer window gives customers more time for longer trips as the city grows.
• Customers may be able to make additional trips, including a return trip, within the 120-minute period without paying a second fare.
• City staff estimate that some customers who buy tickets will benefit under current travel patterns, with more benefiting if they change their travel behaviour.

Case against#

• City staff estimate about $2 million in lost fare revenue each year, with possible additional losses not included in that figure.
• City staff say customer requests for longer transfers have been low: they received 22 requests from 2022 through March 2026.
• City staff warn that, without added funding, the revenue loss could add to existing pressures on Calgary Transit and lead to cancellation of service planned for September 2026.