Calgary Transit Transfers: Council Eyes 120-Minute Extension

CALGARY, AB — City Council is set to debate a motion today that would give transit riders an extra half-hour to complete their journeys without paying twice.

Ward 12 Councillor Mike Jamieson has tabled a proposal to extend Calgary Transit's transfer window from 90 minutes to 120 minutes. The motion responds to mounting frustration from residents who've been dinged with double fares after service delays, traffic snarls, or missed connections.

Mayor Jeromy Farkas voiced his support this morning, stating the change would deliver 'more flexibility, more fairness' for Calgarians navigating a system that raised fares to $4.00 per ride in January 2026.

The Push for More Time

This isn't the first attempt. Former Ward 3 Councillor Jasmine Mian championed a similar 120-minute proposal in early 2025 alongside the Calgary Transit Riders advocacy group. Calgary Transit declined to recommend it in a May 2025 report, citing unspecified concerns.

Jamieson's motion asks city administration to report back by April 27, 2026, with proposed fare policy amendments, financial impact assessments, and any necessary changes to fare validation systems. New ticket validators are slated for CTrain platforms in late May 2026, making timing critical.

What It Means for Riders

The extended window would allow passengers more breathing room when buses run late or connections fall through—scenarios that became more common as the city grew and congestion increased. Council approved an additional $6 million in ongoing operating funds for Calgary Transit in the 2026 budget, along with $9 million in one-time safety improvements.

Farkas framed the motion as a quality-of-service issue during December 2025 budget talks: if riders are paying more, the system must deliver better.

Council will debate the motion today. If approved, administration will have two months to assess feasibility and costs before reporting back in late April.