Calgary councillors back exploration of integrated transit fares with Airdrie
The intergovernmental affairs committee voted 9-0 to study regional fare integration, with a progress update due in early 2027.
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Calgary city council's intergovernmental affairs committee voted 9-0 Thursday to explore regional transit fare integration with the City of Airdrie, with a progress update due in early 2027.
The move aligns with Calgary Transit's 30-year strategic plan, RouteAhead. In June, Airdrie Mayor Heather Spearman reached out to Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas to explore the feasibility of integrating the two cities' transit fares.
Jon Lee, Calgary Transit's senior leader of transit service design, told the committee that "there are opportunities with this work to strengthen regional relationships and improve transportation in the region for Calgarians and regional residents as a whole, while also potentially supporting transit revenues." Further work is needed to determine viability, particularly regarding fare payment collection technology and cost-sharing arrangements.
Airdrie, now a city of 90,000 people, operates both local bus routes and inter-municipal routes to Calgary. One line drops passengers at the Rundle LRT station on Calgary's Blue Line with a stop at CrossIron Mills shopping mall in Rocky View County. The Inter-City Express travels to and from Calgary's downtown from an Airdrie bus hub. Currently, riders transferring beyond those terminuses must pay again for Calgary Transit access.
One councillor expressed concern that future fare integration could subsidize Airdrie residents' use of Calgary's transit system, while another criticized administration for not providing enough information to make an informed decision. Calgary Transit will include information on potential Airdrie integration in its ongoing fare strategy review.
The facts
When will Calgary provide an update on transit fare integration with Airdrie?
Calgary's intergovernmental affairs committee voted on July 16, 2026 to explore regional transit fare integration, with a progress update due in early 2027.
How many people live in Airdrie?
Airdrie has a population of 90,000 people.
What happens to Airdrie transit riders who travel beyond current terminus points?
Riders on Airdrie's inter-municipal routes who transfer beyond the Rundle LRT station or the downtown Calgary bus hub must pay again for Calgary Transit access.
