Free Fare Zone

The Calgary Downtown Association appreciates City Council’s decision to defer consideration of changes to Calgary’s Free Fare Zone until Q1 of 2027, maintain the Zone in the interim, and to undertake further downtown engagement, and explore potential sponsorship opportunities.

While the CDA’s preference was for long-term certainty in maintaining the Zone, this decision keeps the conversation alive and recognizes the important role the Free Fare Zone plays in supporting connectivity, accessibility, movement, and economic activity in Downtown Calgary for the next generation.

Over the past several weeks, the CDA has worked closely with our members, civic partners, and City Council to advocate for maintaining the Free Fare Zone and highlight the important role it plays in supporting Downtown Calgary. We have worked to ensure the downtown business perspective was represented throughout this discussion and are pleased to see Council recognize the value of additional engagement before future decisions are made.

The Free Fare Zone helps workers, visitors, and residents move easily throughout the downtown core. The CDA also recognizes that safety concerns within the transit system are important and should continue to be addressed, however, solutions should not shift additional challenges onto downtown businesses, public spaces, and adjacent properties.

Downtown Calgary functions best when it is connected, accessible, and easy to navigate.