Calgary Transit is moving along with plans to provide bus service to Tsuut’ina Nation, but nothing is set in stone quite yet.

LWC was first to report on the plan back in 2022, after the City of Calgary approved discussions to create and deliver the transit route to the Taza Development.

At the time, Bryce Starlight with Taza said that transit was a key part of their future development plans. The Taza Park and Buffalo Run areas expect more than 12,000 residents upon full build out.

“We’ve always seen transit as an essential component of what we’re doing here,” Starlight told LiveWire Calgary.

“Not just for our benefit, but also for the benefit of Calgarians who want to access, and to just really, to create that connectivity between the two communities.”

Calgary Transit said that nothing has been finalized and they’re still in very early discussions with the Tsuut’ina Nation.

As a part of a transit review in the Fish Creek area, it does show Route 103 branching off of 24 Street SW onto Buffalo Run Road, then re-entering Calgary on 130 Avenue SW. That route connects the Southland and Anderson LRT stations in a loop.

“We wanted our customers to be able to see the whole area, including the potential route, so they could provide us their thoughts with a full picture,” read an email from Amanda Bradley with Calgary Transit.

‘Excellent’ move: Coun. Dan McLean

Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean, who chairs the Intergovernmental Affairs Committee and whose ward borders parts of Tsuut’ina Nation, said he’s had some great conversations with the new Tsuut’ina Chief and their band council.

“There’s some details to be worked out on cost sharing, but I’m glad to get the route out there, get it started,” he said.

“We’ve got Costco, lots of good things that residents need to go back and forth. So, I will champion it.”

Mayor Jeromy Farkas said that it was exciting to start thinking of Calgary at the regional level.

“From the nation to municipal perspective, this builds on a lot of the work that we’re developing at the regional table with the other municipalities,” he said.

“But when you look at the opportunity to support each other, a rising tide definitely lifts all boats. Many people who are visiting Grey Eagle Casino or even Costco or Taza, many people are going there to shop, but also there to have access to opportunity, to be able to work. So, it makes a lot more sense for us to be thinking from an integrated standpoint, where we can for those services to be delivered.”

Farkas said that he’s bullish on forging closer ties with the Tsuut’ina Nation, including with the water utility, transit and economic development.