Free Fare Zone Survey

UPDATE: At their May 26, 2026, meeting, Council chose to defer a decision about the future of the Free Fare Zone until a broader Fare Strategy is completed in early 2027. This will give Council an opportunity to see how the Free Fare Zone fits within our fares and fare products as a whole and get a deep understanding of how they work together to fund transit. 

Our team is developing a new fare strategy for Council’s consideration in early 2027. Our work includes research into various fare products, payment options, and what we hear from Calgarians through customer research and engagement. 

For more information about this work, visit the Fare Strategy page.

We want to hear from you: the Free Fare Zone

Calgary Transit is always looking for ways to ensure we provide value for Calgarians, and to make the best use of the funds we receive. In early 2026, we are conducting a review of our fares and fare policy, to make sure we keep up with changing needs and travel habits. Part of that review involves taking a deeper look at our Free Fare Zone.

The Free Fare Zone is the portion of the CTrain network that runs downtown along 7 Avenue, between Downtown West- Kerby and City Hall/ Bow Valley College stations. Since the launch of CTrain service in Calgary, fares have not been required for customers who begin and end their transit trips in this section. This was intended to make it easier for people who work, live, or do business downtown, to get around.

The city has grown and changed since the CTrain was introduced and so have the travel habits and needs of Calgarians. Funding, population density, and major destinations have also changed, creating new priorities for transit service. We’d like to learn how relevant and valuable the existing Free Fare Zone is for your transit needs. You can help us by completing the brief survey below. Your feedback will be one of the factors we will use to make any recommendations about the future of the Zone.