Data diving was on the menu as Calgary city council approved two transit initiatives that could lead to changes to the downtown free fare zone, and the length of transfer windows.

While councillors ultimately debated the merits of implementing both, the motions presented at the Feb. 24 Regular Meeting of Council ultimately only asked for further data to support a future choice.

The question of increasing the transfer window time limit from 90 minutes to 120 was something that was first brought forward by former Coun. Jasmine Mian almost exactly one year ago.

The motion, brought forward this year by Ward 12 Coun. Mike Jamieson, went a half-step further, asking for collection of data around the impact of the transfer window extension, along with the preparation of bylaw amendments to allow for the extension.

“Since introducing this motion, I’ve heard from other councillors and other residents who support the idea for practical reasons other than just distance; some have said they would use transit for short errands such as quick shopping trips if they knew that they could complete it within a two-hour window without paying twice,” he said.

“That’s the kind of behaviour we want to encourage. More transit users could replace short car trips.”

Ottawa estimated the cost at $800,000: City admin

Some of the debate from councillors was around process, including having it go through the typical channel of going to committee, having a public hearing and with admin providing information.

Ward 10 Coun. Andre Chabot said that this is a two-hour window, where people could come downtown, have lunch or dinner and then go back in the direction they came with only one ticket instead of two.

“There is potentially a cost implication to this, which is why I’d like to know more information about what the budgetary implications, what the cost implications are of this,” he said.

“We’re already subsidizing transit to the tune of 65 per cent for the mill rate, so at least have an understanding of what that is, and getting public input.”

City administration did say that a high-level environmental scan showed the City of Ottawa examined the cost of a 30-minute extension, and had it pegged at $800,000 annually.

Ward 8 Coun. Nathaniel Schmidt also noted that city administration was already coming back with a potential revised fare revenue strategy, that could make this a moot issue. Further, he said extending the time for suburban riders, creates an inequity for Ward 8 riders who can make shorter trips. Without proper review, Schmidt said it was a blind decision.

“My mind goes to Ward 8 residents, who you know, some of them live one stop away from the free fare zone,” he said.

“They are paying the same fare as somebody who will benefit from this time extension, and they’re going one stop.”

These are data decisions: Ward 6 Coun. John Pantazopoulos

Ward 6 Coun. John Pantazopoulos said that no immediate decisions were being made on either issue at that meeting. Both required further investigation by city administration before councillors could move forward.

His motion, co-sponsored by Ward 3 Coun. Andrew Yule, was a full review of the downtown free fare zone, and any potential options for the area.

“It also dovetails directly with the Calgary transit’s broader fare review, which we just heard discussion about, allowing us to look at the free fair zone as part of a coherent system, rather than in isolation,” Pantazopoulos said.

“More importantly, it does not prejudge the outcome. It gives us what we all need to do to make an informed decision.”

Ward 7 Coun. Myke Atkinson said his worry was that this was all being baked into a “scheme” of fare recovery.

“When we think about the fare-free zone, and you look at the original intentions of the fare-free zone in the downtown, it is about being an economic driver within the downtown. It’s about creating those connection points and allowing the meetings to take place,” he said.

Atkinson said that they’re trying to encourage more people to move downtown, and that by doing a free fare zone review, it’s being couched by an overall push to generate more revenue, which impacts the economic viability of the area.

“Having a free fare zone, I think, is actually really, really important in terms of our overall vibrancy, the future economic prosperity of our downtown, and the livability of being someone within downtown,” he said.

In the end, Coun. Pantazopoulos said that whether councillors support the free fare zone or are against it, you can’t argue with getting data to make the best decision.

“By going through this process, we’re doing exactly what we need to do. We’re talking to the right people, we’re getting the right information, and we’re making a call before budget,” he said.