The fleet

Calgary Transit operates a fleet of buses, trains, and shuttle buses.

The backbone of the system is the  C-Train , an LRT (light rail transit) train system. The terms C-Train and LRT are used interchangeably.  There are two LRT lines. Route 201 connects Somerset/Bridlewood in the south, through downtown, to Dalhousie in the northwest. This route is currently being extended in the northwest, with completion forecast for 2008. Route 202 connects the NE Whitehorn neighbourhood to City Centre (downtown); in 2007, it will be extended as far north as McKnight Blvd. in the NE. 

Whereas C-Train stops in the downtown core consist only of sidewalk platforms, C-Train stops in the suburbs are much larger stations. They generally consist of a large parking area (which fills up extremely quickly on weekday mornings, because parking at the C-Train station is free); a bus loop next to the station building or station accessway, where riders transfer between their local feeder bus and the LRT; a Kiss 'N' Ride zone near the station, where cars can drop off passengers; a large heated/air conditioned station building, with escalators and stairs to take passengers up over the tracks and down to the platform, which is located between the inbound and outbound LRT tracks. The station platforms are outdoors, but are somewhat sheltered from the weather by glass walls.

The LRT system is supplemented by a network of buses.

Fares 

A one-way fare is C$2.25 for an adult, C$1.40 for a youth (age 6-18), free for children under 6.  A day pass, good for travel on the whole system for a full day, is C$5.60 for adults, C$3.60 for youths. The fare is a flat rate: Calgary Transit does not have a system of zones which require further payment; one fare will get you to any destination in Calgary.

One-way tickets can be purchased from bus drivers, vending machines at LRT platforms and stations, and from selected vendors.  Vendors also sell 10-ride ticket books, at a reduced rate per ride, which are useful if you expect to make extended use of the transit system. Day passes can be purchased at LRT platforms and from vendors, but not from bus drivers.

Bus drivers and vending machines at LRT stations and platforms do not make change.  You may pay the exact fare or you may overpay.  If you overpay, however, you will not receive change.  Merchants closest to the LRT will usually refuse to make change for you unless you buy something.  It's best to make sure you have the correct change before you leave your accommodations. Vendors who sell ticket books do provide change, however. 

If you will be transferring from a C-Train to a bus, save your train ticket and hand it to the bus driver.  If you will be transferring from a bus to another bus or to a C-Train, ask the driver of the first bus for a transfer.  When you board the bus, say,  "Transfer, please."  A transfer is valid for 90 minutes from the time it's issued, and will not be accepted for a return journey.

Access to the C-Train is on the proof-of-payment ("honour") system, so you don't need to go through a gate or turnstile to get to the platform; instead, you buy a ticket from a vending machine on the platform or inside the station. 

In the suburbs, platforms are part of a larger C-Train station. Station platforms are "restricted fare areas"; you must buy a ticket from a machine at the top of the stairs/escalator before you go down to the platform. 

Occasionally, uniformed ticket inspectors will board the LRT and everyone will have to show their C-Train tickets, monthly passes, or bus transfers to the inspector. If someone can't show that they have paid for their trip, they will be issued a ticket for riding the train without paying. People waiting on station platforms must show proof of payment to ticket inspectors, because they in a restricted fare area; don't worry about accidentally ending up on a station platform without a ticket, as there are large signs above the doors to the station platform to remind you that it's a restricted fare area.

Use of the train is free in the downtown core, along 7th Avenue.  But if you are catching a train downtown to go to the Stampede or anywhere else outside of 7th Avenue (east of City Hall platform, or west of the 8th Street W. platform), you will have to buy a ticket before boarding.

Frequency

During rush hour, trains come every 5 minutes; outside of rush hour, trains are about 15 minutes apart.

Buses typically are less frequent than trains.  Intervals of 15 minutes during rush hour and 30 minutes during off peak hours are usual. 

Tip: During rush hour (6:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.) trains are crowded.  At those times most trains have three cars (the maximum number).  You will find the centre of the second car is usually the least crowded.

Calgary does usually not have 24-hour transit service, so if you are going to be out late, make sure you know when the last bus or train leaves. Sometimes transit service is extended to 24-hour service for special events, such as during the Calgary Stampede and New Year's Eve; however, it's still wise to check your schedule, as sometimes the LRT schedule is 24 hours, but the bus schedule is not.

7th Avenue

In the downtown core, 7th Avenue S. is restricted to C-Trains, buses, and Calgary Transit vehicles only.

7th Avenue is the only section of the LRT system where C-Train Routes 201 and 202 overlap and where you can catch a train for either route.  If you need to change from a Rte 201 train to a Rte 202 train, you will do it along 7th Avenue S. 

Each platform has a display that shows the name of the destination station of an approaching train once it's within a block or two of that platform ("Somerset" for southbound trains, "Dalhousie" for NW trains, and "Whitehorn" for NE trains).

Wheelchair access

C-Trains are wheelchair-accessible, but most buses are not.  Access Calgary operates Handibuses that offer door-to-door, shared ride service for wheelchair users.  The one-way fare is C$1.95.  Books of 10 tickets can be purchased from Handibus operators and from Calgary Transit ticket vendors .   Access Calgary  provides Handibus service to visitors for a maximum of 14 days per calendar year.  To register for the service, call (403) 537-7770.

Dogs

Dogs are allowed on the transit system; they are free if they are in a pet carrier, but an adult fare must be paid for dogs which are not in carriers.

Bicycles

Bicycles are allowed on the C-Train outside of rush hour, for no additional charge. There is a limit of four bikes per train car: two in the very front of each car, and two in the extreme rear. Bikes are not allowed on board buses, but some buses do have bike racks in the summer. See Calgary Transit's Bikes on Board guide for details. 

C-Train doors 

If you take the train, be aware that the train entrance/exit doors are connected to an automatic braking system; if someone is blocking the ankle-high "electric eye" unit that senses that someone is standing in the doorway, the doors won't close and the brakes will not disengage. The train driver will then make an announcement asking people to clear the doors; if you're standing next to an open door, squeeze in a little further so that the sensor is cleared, the door can close, and the train can move. 

Attractions accessible by transit 

Some popular tourist attractions outside of the downtown core that can be accessed by public transit include Stampede Park (Somerset Train to Victoria Park / Stampede Station or Erlton / Stampede Station), Calgary Zoo (Whitehorn Train to Calgary Zoo Station), and Heritage Park (Somerset Train to Heritage Station and then Bus #502). 

To and from the airport

In theory you can use transit to get to and from Calgary International Airport.  The Airport / Erinwoods bus (Bus #57) connects the airport and Whitehorn Station.  The Route 201 C-Train connects Whitehorn Station and the downtown core (City Centre).  Usually airline passengers who use Calgary's public transportation system are moving in the opposite direction from commuters.  Trains bound for the  downtown core are very full during morning rush hour, and trains bound for the suburbs are very full during evening rush hour.  Ordinarily arriving and departing airline passengers would travel in the opposite direction from rush hour commuters.  In the rare event that you might travel in the same direction as rush hour commuters, do be aware that city trains and buses do not have space for luggage.  You would inconvenience your fellow train or bus passengers, if indeed you could even board the train or bus.