The latest statistics released from the Calgary Homeless Foundation indicated that some 1,087 trips to emergency shelters in Dec. of 2024 and Jan. of 2025.
The shuttle program, which is operated by Calgary Transit, Transit Public Safety, the Calgary Homeless Foundation, and emergency shelter partners, has been in operation since 2022 as part of the city’s extreme weather response plan.
The latest numbers indicate a growth use for the program, which saw 921 trips in the 2022–23 pilot year, and then 2,823 trips total for the entirety of the 2023–24 winter season.
Busses are operated by Calgary Transit, while Transit Public Safety coordinates peace officers to ensure safety on board the busses. Alpha House and peace officers work to inform potential users at CTrain stations about the busses, and to provide a warm-hand off at emergency shelters.
“The Emergency Shuttle Program has been an incredibly effective and beneficial program for the clients Alpha House serves. Partnering with Calgary Transit and the City allows for much larger group transports than our single outreach vans can accommodate, ensuring more street-involved individuals are supported away from unnecessary and inappropriate use of transit stations and towards needed services like shelters,” said Charlene Wilson, Senior Director at Alpha House.
“We are extremely proud to be a part of this collaborative effort to protect vulnerable Calgarians throughout these cold winter months.”
The Calgary Homeless Foundation said that the shuttle program would continue past this winter season as a vital component of the city’s cold weather response.
“Through this effort with our partners, we ensure that individuals accessing this resource are connected to warmth, safety, and essential services, making a life-changing difference for members of our community who need it most,” said Bo Masterson, Vice President of Stakeholder Engagement at the Calgary Homeless Foundation.
The shuttles have operated between 10:30 p.m. and 4:00 a.m., and have served as supplementary shelters and transportation during the coldest part of most winter nights.
