CBE student step count decrease is possible with the changing of district walk zones in the fall of 2025.
In response to provincial eligibility changes announced in December 2024, the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) will increase the number of students eligible for transportation to school. Calgary Catholic School District (CCSD) will remain the same.
“For the 2025-26 school year, the CBE will be expanding yellow bus service and adjusting walk zones,” the CBE wrote on their website.
“This means many more students will become eligible to take the bus.”
Previously, K-6 students who lived whose homes were within 1.6 km walking distance from schools property boarder were ineligible for transportation. For fall 2025, all K-6 students who’s driving distance is further then 1.6 km from their schools front door, will now be eligible for transportation.
The CBE has experienced record-high enrolment numbers over the past three years, with more families moving to Calgary, according to their website.
This increase has resulted in crowded schools, increased yellow school bus ridership, and more bus routes for students who require transportation to attend schools that have space.
In December of 2024, the Alberta Government announced an update to the eligibility requirements of students for public school transportation. Students who live within 1.6 km of their school will become ineligible for transportation.
This comes after a 2023 announcement increased transportation funding, allowing for all K-6 students further than 1.0 km from their school to be eligible for busing. Grades 7-12 students within 2.0 km of their school also became eligible.
Districts were given until September of 2024 to adapt to the changes, with an extension later given until September 2025.
In a statement, the CBE said that more information will be available when transportation registration is launched in May.
The district’s goal is to ensure that more than 60,000 CBE students can get to school safely, on time and ready to learn, according to their website.
Calgary Catholic School District elects to keep current funding model
CCSD students in K-6 who live outside of 1.0 km from their school will remain eligible for transportation. No district-provided transportation options are available for students in grade 7 and above.
The 2024-25 school year was extremely positive for the CCSD, according to a statement. The district saw a significant decrease in open routes and route delays.
For students in Grades 7-12, who live further than 2.0 km away from their school, CCSD offers a $20 monthly rebate on Calgary Transit passes for students.
CBE offers no transit rebate for any students.
Barring further government changes, CCSD will align with the 1.6 km eligibility for the 2026-27 school year.
