Calgary Transit is changing the name of the 301 bus, but it comes with no service alterations to the route itself.

Starting Sept. 1, the Route 301 bus will officially become part of Calgary Transit’s Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) network with a renaming to Max Green. This goes along with the Max Yellow, Orange, Purple and Teal BRT routes.

Calgary Transit said that the name change coincides with crews finishing up construction on the new bus stations on the previously named North Central Bus Rapid Transit Route. Eight stations were improved in that project, and a section of transit-only bus lanes, turning lanes, and sidewalk and crossing improvements were done.

“The update of Route 301 to Max Green reflects the major improvements that have been completed along the north central corridor, and the continued expansion of our MAX network,” said Donna Eng, senior transit planner, in a prepared media release.

“Max Green will serve around 10,000 customers per day, with more expected, as cross-city connections are enhanced.”

According to the City, this is the only change to the route. They have been moving toward Max-level amenities on the route as milestones are completed.

“The frequency of Max Green will remain the same, as Route 301 was already a direct route with limited stops,” read a statement from Leah Sullivan with the City of Calgary’s Infrastructure Services.

“Moving forward and as resources allow, there may be adjustments to frequency, to meet the changing needs of our customers.”

Route 301 is perennially the most densely used bus route in Calgary. Mayor Jyoti Gondek has criticized the progress on the route’s expansion in the past, saying last year that, despite improvements, it’s still just an express bus.

Earlier this year at the Green Line groundbreaking, Mayor Gondek said that she still supports a BRT system that can be easily converted to rail.

“North-central Calgary is near and dear to me, and there will not be a time when I don’t keep advocating to keep this project going to the north,” she said.

“It’s imperative; the population is there, and ridership is there, we just need to get up there.”

 BRT investments need to continue

Ward 3 Coun. Jasmine Mian, who has advocated for continued investment in the North Central BRT, said that even with the latest improvements, more must be done. It’s now called the Max Green because eventually it will be able to flip to an LRT line, Mian said.

“I see it both ways. I see the city making incremental improvements on this, but I also understand that citizens are disappointed about the Green Line and also want to see further investments in the BRT,” she told LWC.

“Which I think, if we’re calling it the Max Green, then we really need to live up to that name.”

Mian said the next phase of the project could end up being the most important, allowing for the extension of dedicated lanes for transit. The city said design on that phase will begin this year, with construction beginning in upcoming years on the extensions and signal timing to improve service efficiency.

Construction could begin on 2026 at the North Pointe Terminal, Country Hills Blvd, the Harvest Hills bus trap, and McKnight Blvd, according to the City.

Mian said that further investments in the Max Green BRT will require future councillors in Wards 3, 4, and 7 to work together. She said there hasn’t always been a strong coalition of council voices pushing for the work to get done.

“I think now that the Green Line south has broken ground, there’s capacity, I think, in the conversation to be like, OK, that project is on its way – now what is happening in the north.”