Calgary’s mayor doesn’t think ending the downtown free fare zone is a good idea, saying there could be “very significant unintended consequences” if city council moves ahead with it.

Last week, the city’s infrastructure and planning committee voted 7-4 in favour of ending Calgary’s 41-year-old free fare zone, citing potential public safety improvements and a $5 million boost in revenue.

Others, however, have gone to the opposite end of the discussion, with Ward 7 Coun. Myke Atkinson suggesting that Calgary should make public transit free within the city limits.

The city’s free fare zone review raised the potential consequence of an increased number of infractions with the elimination of free fares.

“Removing the Free Fare Zone could increase transit fare infractions and therefore direct more individuals to the Community Court program,” the report reads.

“While this program provides access to critical social supports and helps break the cycle of enforcement, it may not currently have the capacity to handle higher volumes.”

Mayor Jeromy Farkas, when asked about a letter sent to the province advocating for more money for Calgary’s community court program, acknowledged the potential deluge of infractions brought on by a cut to the free fare zone.

“The advocacy in the letter to the Minister was Council direction, so our Council is committed to the community court model, and as we’re navigating some decisions on the horizon here, like potential revisions to the free fare zone, we have to be mindful of unintended consequences,” Mayor Farkas said.

“There could be some very significant unintended consequences to a decision like eliminating the free fare zone, otherwise tying up the traditional court system, as well as reducing the capacity for the community court.”

Overestimated, overinflated revenue increase: Farkas

The City’s free fare zone report said that if the free fare zone was removed, only 23 per cent of 6,000 respondents to a survey said they would pay a fare. Thirty-four per cent said they would find an alternative.

The report goes on to say that it could mean 1.8 million fewer trips per year, and 10 per cent fewer downtown boardings.

Potential safety gains could mean a long-term boost to overall ridership, according to the report.

“Safety was repeatedly described as the gatekeeper variable, meaning ridership gains from service expansion, pricing, or messaging are limited unless safety issues downtown are addressed first,” the report reads.

“Therefore, there may be a positive impact on ridership if perceptions of public safety improved because of removing the Free Fare Zone.”

Mayor Farkas questioned the revenue targets.

“Part of the reason that I’m not supporting the elimination of the free fare zone is that simply charging folks $4 for a two-block stop, it doesn’t make a lot of sense,” he said.  

“I believe that it’s incredibly inflated or overestimated the amount of revenue that charging people for these trips will bring in.”

He said that the impact on potential homes and other businesses is another determining factor in his opposition.

“If we go from no longer not charging anything for the free fare zone to all of a sudden charging, that potentially could be a hidden tax of anywhere between $1,000 to $1,500 per year for downtown residents who otherwise would not be required right now to have a yearly transit pass,” he said.

He also poked holes in the public safety argument.

“Also, look at, say, 10 to 15 per cent of the boardings for the LRT are through the free fare zone, which means that if you start charging, fewer people will be taking transit and you’ll have less eyes, fewer bodies on the train itself, who also contribute to public safety,” Farkas said.

Calgary city council will make a final decision on the future of the free fare zone on May 26. If approved, it will end Aug. 1, 2026