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About
Calgary Transit
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Brief
History
1909 - Calgary Electric Street Car
Railway began operating in a community
of 30,000 with 16 miles of track and 12
electric street cars.
Chronological History:
1918 - limited stop service was
provided for customers in outlying
communities.
1930s - during the Depression,
while many North American transit
services folded, Calgarians
continued to be served by a thriving
street car system.
1932 - gasoline fuelled buses
were introduced to serve areas of
Calgary that did not have street car
service.
1940s - the transit system was
modernized as the street cars were
phased out, with the last regular
street car run made in 1950*. To
replace street cars, a more
responsive and flexible system of
motor buses and electric trolley
buses was initiated. *The last street car was restored
and moved to Heritage Park where it
reminds park visitors of our past.
1946 - the Calgary Municipal
Railway was renamed the Calgary
Transit System (CTS).
1950 - 1975 - Calgary rapidly
grew to a population of almost half
a million people and the bus and
trolley systems were expanded to
meet the demand.
During the late 1960s and early
1970s, trolley buses were phased out
and replaced with diesel buses that
were more flexible in their routing,
and more economical.
1971 - exact fare system
introduced to speed up boarding and
reduce operating costs.
1972 - CTS joined The City of
Calgary Transportation Department
and was renamed Calgary Transit.
Blue Arrow (limited stop)
express service was introduced to
serve the downtown rush hour.
1978 - construction of the first
leg of the CTrain began.
1981 The 10.9 km south line from
Anderson Road to 7 Avenue S.W. was
officially opened on May 25.
1985 - Service commenced on the
northeast leg of the CTrain.
The northeast, 9.8 km line
extends from the east end of 7th
Avenue, across the Bow River and
northeast to Whitehorn Station.
1986 - Community shuttle buses
were introduced as pilot projects in
Edgemont/Hawkwood, Martidale/Taradale
and Shawnessy/Millrise.
1987 - The third leg of the
CTrain system was completed in the
northwest.
The northwest line extends from
the west end of 7th Avenue, across
the Bow River and north to the
University of Calgary.
1990 - The northwest leg was
extended to Brentwood Station,
increasing the line to 6.6 km.
1991 and 1992 - the bus fleet
was expanded and a new colour scheme
was introduced on the buses - white
with navy, magenta and turquoise
stripes.
2001 - The south CTrain line was
extended to Canyon Meadows (2.0 km)
and to Fish Creek Lacombe (1.4 km.
2003 - The northwest CTrain line
was extended to Dalhousie (3.0 km).
2004 - The southwest CTrain line
was extended to Shawnessy and
Somerset/Bridlewood (3.0 km).
2007 - The northeast CTrain line
was extended to McKnight-Westwinds
(2.9 km).
2009 - One billionth CTrain customer recorded in February.
2009 - The northwest CTrain line was extended to Crowfoot (2.2 km).
Low floor buses provide service in
many areas of the city. These buses,
which are equipped with ramps, have
no steps, and can "kneel" within 10
cm of a standard curb, make boarding
and exiting easier for all
customers. Each low floor bus can
carry two customers in wheelchairs
or scooters.
Thirty community shuttle routes
operate throughout the city.
Community shuttle buses are more
economical to operate and allow
Calgary Transit to introduce service
in new communities that do not have
a large enough population to support
full-size bus service.
More economical off-peak service
can be provided with community
shuttle buses.
They are also easier to operate
in areas where streets are narrow
and may not accommodate a full-size
bus.
Today's transit fleet is made up
of 222 regular buses, 534 low floor
buses, 37 articulated buses, 85 community shuttle buses,
and 157 light rail vehicles.
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Then
and Now
Moving Calgarians Since 1909
Calgary Transit has been moving
Calgarians since 1909 - that's 100
years of service! Over the next century
we will continue to change and grow with
Calgary, as we have for the past
century. Calgary's transit service was
responsible for many aspects of
Calgary's growth and development.
Calgary
Transit's role in the community
Calgary
Transit has remained a vital part of the
City because it fulfils three key roles
in the community:
Social
Public
transit provides transportation for
those individuals who cannot or choose
not to transport themselves.
Economic
Public transit is more economical for
the individual and for The City than
travel by private automobile. High
quality transit service means that many
people do not need to buy automobiles.
With fewer vehicles, the City has to
build and maintain fewer roads.
Environmental
The use of
public transit reduces the environmental
impact of urban travel. Fewer private
automobiles means cleaner air and
reduced traffic noise for Calgarians. |
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