Latest news with #CalgaryTransit
CTV News
16-07-2025
- CTV News
Calgary Transit launches new electronic fare system for CTrains
Calgary Transit has installed mobile ticketing for CTrains, aligning regulations with the same rules for buses. Calgary Transit riders now need to follow some new rules when boarding a CTrain. Starting Wednesday, all users need to scan their mobile tickets before riding trains, matching the same guidelines in place for all Calgary Transit buses. Officials say studies showed that 46 per cent of adults and 50 per cent of youth riding transit did not use their tickets properly and some weren't paying at all. Calgary Transit says there will be a grace period for the public to adjust to the change. 'Once we understand that the public is understanding how to use this system, we will be moving forward with an enforcement component,' said Chief Marcia Gonder with the City of Calgary's public vehicle standards section. Electronic mobile tickets were first introduced in 2020.
Calgary Herald
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Leadership over lip service: Building a safer Calgary for everyone
Calgary is the best city in the world in which to live, work and raise a family. However, we are currently facing a public safety crisis we cannot afford to ignore. Article content Our downtown is plagued by crime, addiction and social disorder. Calgary just plummeted from fifth to 18th place in The Economist's rankings of the most liveable cities in the world. The rest of the world is noticing what many Calgarians already know: our city is no longer as safe or livable as it should be. And the investor uncertainty this creates is not to be overlooked. Article content Article content Article content The numbers speak volumes. Calgary Transit reported a 53 per cent increase in violent incidents on buses and LRT platforms in 2023 from 2019. The Calgary Police Service also reported that social disorder calls — such as weapon complaints, indecent acts and disturbances — rose by over 10 per cent last year. In the Plus-15 system and along key corridors like 8th Avenue South, many Calgarians say they no longer feel safe commuting to work or shopping at local businesses. Article content Article content These issues are not confined to our downtown. They extend to our suburbs, throughout our transit corridors and are in every neighbourhood. Our first responders and our transit operators are at risk, and morale is low. Article content This isn't about fearmongering or pointing fingers. It's about facts. It's about acknowledging the lived experiences of Calgarians — and expecting our elected officials to take action. Article content Over the last several months, I have talked to tens of thousands of Calgarians. They are pleading for a transparent city council that will listen, make our city more affordable, take care of essential services like water, sewer and roads, and make our city safe again. No one feels like this is what they are getting right now. Article content We can't have a thriving economy, a vibrant downtown or strong neighbourhoods if people don't feel safe. That starts with expanding our police presence, including reopening a downtown police station and increasing community patrols in high-risk areas like LRT stations and the Plus-15 network. Article content Enforcement alone won't fix what's broken. We must push for a modernized bylaw — like in Edmonton — that bans open drug use, aggressive panhandling, weapons displays and unauthorized encampments in public spaces. We must protect our parks, sidewalks and transit zones from being taken over by chaos. Article content For vulnerable Calgarians, we must partner with the province to expand access to addiction treatment, mental health care, and emergency support — getting people off the streets and into care. We don't achieve this by being combative with the provincial government — we do it by being collaborative. Article content None of this is radical. It's common sense. And Calgarians are begging their elected officials for it. Article content A new Downtown Safety Task Force — composed of community advocates, frontline workers, and business leaders — should be created with a clear mandate to drive real results. This task force won't just talk, it will act. It's time for less lip service and more public service. Article content We also need to address repeat violent offenders. Calgary cannot be expected to thrive while federal bail and sentencing rules allow dangerous, repeat offenders to roam freely. Municipal leaders must work together to convince Ottawa for bail and justice reform. Article content Article content What Calgary needs now is not more political theatre or infighting — which is precisely what they are getting from this current city council — it's action. Public safety must be a priority for politicians. Without safe streets, what kind of a legacy are we leaving for our children?
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Calgary man's home wrecked for ‘Green Line'
Patrick Lindsay watched as his home in the River Run townhome community of Eau Claire, Calgary, was torn down for a transit project. 'It's just heart-wrenching,' says Lindsay. 'I knew everyone in all the units. We will never have that again.' The homes were being demolished for a Green Line LRT with a station at Eau Claire. But in the fall, Calgary City Council decided to cut back the project after the province pulled its $1.53 billion in funding. A few weeks later, the province promised the money again, but the new plan now leaves out Eau Claire. So where does that leave Lindsay and the others whose homes were wrecked? Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich — and 'anyone' can do it 5 essential money moves to help boost your net worth today — here's how to up your money game in 2025 (and you can complete each step within minutes) Are you rich enough to join the top 1%? Here's the net worth you need to rank among Canada's wealthiest — plus a few strategies to build that first-class portfolio Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek said that talks are still happening about the Green Line possibly going through Eau Claire in the future. 'We continue to be engaged with the provincial partners and we have had a working group meeting that was quite productive,' she says. 'We continue to move forward to figure out how we can get the Green Line moving, and what that alignment will look like.' How did these homeowners lose their properties? When the owners got notice that the property was being acquired, they negotiated for four years but finally were given until the end of May 2024 to vacate the property. Even though Eau Claire's future isn't set in stone, the city is still moving forward with tearing down the properties. Work began in late January, and is continuing until summer. All of this leaves people like Patrick Lindsay and his former neighbours in the dust. Read more: Here are — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? The Green Line is Calgary's next LRT line and the biggest infrastructure project in the city's history. According to the City of Calgary website, the demolition of the River Run condominiums took place even though the land may not be required for the station because 'the removal of these buildings will decrease the potential for safety and security issues, while fulfilling contractual obligations.' When the city took ownership of the River Run condos, residents were sent a letter, then an agent visited to figure out the market value. Owners got buyouts of about $800,000 each, but some argued that they would have been worth more in the open market. Market value includes things like renovations, location and landscaping. Twenty of the 23 owners filed appeals with the Alberta government's Land and Property Rights Tribunal, where disputes can be made around expropriation. 'I don't think it was necessary,' Lindsay told CityNews. 'I just think they wanted to because they are comfortable with putting homes into the landfill to make something shiny and new.' The Green Line should take about six years to finish. This article 'Heart-wrenching': This Calgary man's home just got demolished to make room for 'Green Line' transit project that might not even be reality — how is this legal in Canada? I'm almost 50 and don't have enough retirement savings. What should I do? Don't panic. Here are 6 solid ways you can catch up Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway bought nearly 26 million shares of this Canadian company in 2024 — here are 3 ways to help you invest like the Oracle of Omaha What would you do if you had an emergency vet bill worth $5,000 tomorrow? Here's how to protect your furry friend (and keep your wallet intact) Billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg and Jay-Z have taken out mortgages for homes they can easily afford — here's why This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
CTV News
26-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Calgary to break ground on long-awaited Green Line LRT project
After years of discussions and planning, city officials will break ground on Calgary's Green Line LRT project on Thursday. A ground-breaking ceremony will be held at the future Shepard LRT station in the city's southeast, kicking off Phase 1 of the project. This first phase is Calgary's largest-ever infrastructure investment, with $6.248 billion in funding from the City of Calgary and both the provincial and federal governments. However, city officials say they've identified at least $1.3 billion in additional costs the city will have to cover. The southeast segment, from Shepard to the future Grand Central Station, will build the first 10 stations and 16 kilometres of track, before connecting with the future downtown segment. It will also deliver 28 new modern low-floor light rail vehicles. 'I think when Calgarians start seeing the rails in the ground, the power lines going up and the stations starting to get built, we will get the momentum to get the job done,' said David Cooper, a transit expert and mobility consultant. 'It's actually pretty significant that it's actually happening, and I think people need to see that for the project to progress.' The design of the downtown segment is expected to be completed by next year, with construction starting in 2027. The provincial government's preferred alignment for a train through downtown is on an elevated track. Calgary's mayor still questions the impact this will have, saying property values, downtown vibrancy and public safety are still on the line. Despite not always agreeing on the project design and funding arrangements, all three levels of government are expected to be at the ground-breaking ceremony. 'Transit has pretty broad support across the political spectrum,' Cooper said. 'At the end of the day, people want to get people to work, and it doesn't matter what side of the political equation you're on – this has been a project that all three funders have said that they want this project to happen.'
CTV News
24-06-2025
- CTV News
Police arrest man who allegedly stole Calgary Transit shuttle
A man is facing charges after he allegedly stolen a Calgary Transit shuttle late Monday night. Police say at about 10:41 p.m. someone got onto the unoccupied vehicle, which was parked at 90 Avenue and 14 Street S.W., and drove away. Officials say the bus was found eight minutes later at 24 Street and Oakfield Drive S.W. A man was arrested without incident. Police say there was no damage to the bus or other property as a result of the incident.
