Notice of Motion: Review and Reform of the Downtown Calgary Transit Free Fare Zone (EC2026-0106)

Together with Ward 6 Councillor John Pantazopoulos, Councillor Yule has co-sponsored a Notice of Motion calling for a comprehensive review of the longstanding free fare zone along Calgary’s downtown CTrain corridor.

Calgary’s free fare zone allows CTrain riders to travel at no cost along 7 Avenue S, between Downtown West/Kerby Station and City Hall/Bow Valley College Station. The zone has existed since the CTrain began operating in 1981 and is rooted in an even older tradition of free downtown transit service that dates back to bus operations along 7 Avenue in the 1960s.

The zone was previously supported through a naming rights sponsorship agreement with TD Bank. That agreement ended abruptly in 2025, two years earlier than what was originally agreed to, leaving the City to fully fund the program and reassess its long-term sustainability.

During the 2026 budget deliberations, City Council debated a proposal to eliminate the free fare zone. That amendment did not pass, but the discussion highlighted the need for more detailed information about how the zone affects the transit system and downtown mobility overall.

This Notice of Motion responds to that gap. It directs City Administration to take a closer look at whether the current model is still meeting our needs as Calgary grows and travel patterns evolve and change.

The review will examine:

• Financial impacts including potential fare revenue changes and cost implications

• Operational considerations for Calgary Transit

• Ridership patterns, including how many trips start and end within the zone

• Fare compliance and enforcement

• Passenger safety and overall rider experience

• Impacts on downtown traffic and mobility

Previous estimates shared during budget discussions suggested that millions of annual trips occur entirely within the free fare zone. Transit officials also noted that introducing fares could change rider behaviour, with some people choosing to walk or skip shorter trips.

Why this matters to Ward 3

Calgary Transit is balancing limited financial resources across a system facing growing demand and shifting service needs. In Ward 3, this pressure is especially visible. North Central Calgary has some of the highest ridership in the city, with several routes already operating well beyond capacity. As service is rebalanced, funding decisions tied to fares and subsidies will directly influence the City’s ability to invest in reliable, high capacity service where it is most urgently needed.

Councillor Yule continues to emphasize that any citywide transit funding or fare policy changes must account for the ongoing transit pressures in Ward 3, where improvements such as the full build out and increased frequency of the 301/MAX Green BRT are critical to keeping pace with growth and avoiding further overcrowding. A clear understanding of the financial role of the downtown free fare zone is an important part of making those decisions responsibly.

The motion does not predetermine an outcome. Instead, it asks Administration to present viable alternatives to the current no fare structure that could include:

• Modified or tiered fare options

• Incentive-based programs to encourage transit use by downtown commuters, visitors, and event attendees

• Potential partnership or sponsorship models that could help offset costs

There is also a focus on ensuring that any changes align with broader transit subsidy priorities, including programs such as Calgary’s Fair Entry low-income transit pass.

Public engagement will be an important part of the review. Administration will be asked to engage transit riders, downtown employees and residents, students and visitors, and key partner organizations such as the Calgary Downtown Association, Calgary Chamber of Commerce, Tourism Calgary, and Vibrant Communities Calgary

The goal is to better understand how the free fare zone supports downtown activity, accessibility, and mobility, and how potential changes could affect different groups.

Share your Feedback

Between February 16 and March 8, 2026, Calgary Transit is conducting a customer survey regarding the Free Fare Zone. Input from the customer survey will be used to report on the value of the Free Fare Zone and make recommendations for future fare options in the area. It will also be combined with information that has already been gathered regarding user behaviour, practices in other jurisdictions, and internal engagements.

For more details and to take the quick survey, customers and Calgarians can visit the Free Fare Zone Study page before March 8.

What happens next?

This Notice of Motion will come before Council for debate and a vote on Feb 24, 2026. If approved as-is, it directs City Administration to report back to Council with findings, analysis, and recommendations, including potential implementation approaches, by Q2 2026.

The review is intended to support a transit system that is equitable and financially sustainable, while reflecting how Calgary’s downtown and transit network continue to evolve.

More Reading + Media

• Livewire: Councillors pitch detailed review of Calgary Transit free fare zone
  

• CBC: Future of Calgary Transit free fare zone once again up for debate
  

• Global News: Calgary city councillors pitch ‘review and reform’ of transit’s downtown free fare zone
  

• CTV: Calgary Transit’s downtown free fare zone could be reviewed, reformed by council
  

• Calgary Herald: Councillors seek extension of transit transfer periods, free fare zone review
  

• CityNews: Calgary councillors motion for review of Transit’s ‘Free Fare Zone,’ ticket transfer time increase