Calgary Transit launches free shuttle to Spruce Meadows for advance voting through October 17

Calgary Transit launched a free shuttle service Tuesday connecting downtown transit to the Spruce Meadows advance polling location, addressing a gap in transit access for voters heading to that site during the five-day advance voting period.

The Route 75 shuttle operates between Somerset-Bridlewood LRT station and Spruce Meadows, running every 30 minutes starting at 9 a.m., with the final trip leaving Spruce Meadows at 8:10 p.m. The shuttle operates through October 17 only — it will not run on referendum day, October 19. Regular transit fares apply.

Advance polling stations across Calgary are open 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily from October 13 to 17. Four locations are available citywide: Spruce Meadows, Foothills Alliance Church in the northwest, Scandinavian Centre in the central/north area, and Quarry Park at 205 Quarry Park Boulevard SE.

"We chose to add shuttle service for the five days of advance voting because we recognized that many customers who rely on transit would be unable to access the Spruce Meadows voting location," Amanda Bradley, Calgary Transit, said in an email.

Mayor Jeromy Farkas praised the response. "There's many communities right now who don't have easy walking or transit options to their advanced polling stations, and seeing our Calgary Transit team spring into action and meet that need, I was really impressed with how quickly that they moved to meet that need," Farkas said.

Calgary Transit posted the shuttle announcement October 9. The source does not report projected ridership or voter numbers expected to use the service.