Calgary Transit carries more than 94.2 million passengers a year by train, bus and shuttle, serving all four city quadrants: northwest, northeast, southwest and southeast.

The city’s public transportation system features a combination of light rail transit (the CTrain), regular and low-floor buses, community shuttles and a shared ride, door-to-door transportation service for Calgarians with disabilities.

Fares are $2.75 one-way for an adult, with monthly passes going for $85.25. Books of 10 adult tickets are also available for $24. Children younger than six get to ride for free.

The system is well used: surveys show that 15 per cent of Calgary’s downtown workforce commutes by Calgary Transit every day. The long-term goal is for all Calgarians to be within 600 metres – a short walk – of access to public transportation.

The CTrain

The ‘C’ stands for Calgary of course. The light rail transit system has 90 kilometres (56 miles) of double track, 38 stations and more than 156 cars; it’s also the only emissions-free, wind-powered public transit operation in North America.

The capacity of the CTrain system will virtually double when current construction projects on new lines are complete. Plans exist to build two additional lines from the city centre: a westbound line and a southeastern line. Construction has begun on the new West LRT line, with six new stations, which is expected to open in December 2012.

Commuting from the Calgary Region

There are a couple of companies operating commuter shuttles that whisk workers and students to and from some of Calgary’s neighbouring communities: First Student Canada and Southland Transportation.