Calgary Transit will continue a modified express service in some areas of the city after recent transit reviews resulted in dozens of proposed route changes set for this fall.
North Central, Saddletowne, and Fish Creek all underwent transit service reviews, and with that come various changes aimed at streamlining some routes to make way for faster and more frequent service on others.
Among those changes are more details on the phased approach to the elimination of express routes across Calgary, which was reported first by LWC back in November 2025.
Limited express service will remain on a small number of existing routes. They will operate one morning and one afternoon trip per route, according to Calgary Transit, giving customers time to adjust and discover new options within the broader transit network.
“Express routes are resource-intensive and serve a relatively limited number of customers in one direction,” read an email response from Amanda Bradley with Calgary Transit.
“By reallocating those resources into more frequent, all-day, two-way service, we are able to improve connections, increase reliability, and support a wider range of destinations and travel times across the network.”
As a part of that change, Calgary Transit is introducing a new 500-series express route. This will be a streamlined, corridor-specific service that connects transit hubs and regular routes, Bradley said.
“The new 500-series routes will provide faster travel options where demand supports it,” she said.
“For example, a 500-series route might run with fewer stops, connecting residential areas directly to major hubs or downtown.”
Route 503 in Symons Valley will be the first of the routes and will begin on Aug. 31, 2026. It will help inform how future 500-series routes operate in other parts of Calgary, Bradley said.
Good news for north central Calgary commuters: Coun. Yule
Though the plan is in place to discontinue the bulk of traditional express routes in Calgary, Ward 3 Coun. Andrew Yule was happy to see that residents in his ward will have some time to transition through the new modified express routes.
Come fall, the Hidden Valley Express, the MacEwan Express, the Harvest Hills Express, Coventry Hills Express, and Panorama Express will remain, but be reduced to one trip per day in each direction.
Yule said that through surveys his office conducted, he learned that residents were quite upset about losing the express service in their areas. He wanted to find a middle ground to ensure optimal service for Ward 3 while residents transitioned to the new service.
“You can still grab that express route coming into work and going home from work, and if you don’t, you now get to experience the new model of the Max Green, as well as the increased frequency of base service,” he told LWC.
The Max Green bus rapid transit, formerly the 301 down Centre Street, will have buses every two to five minutes at peak times, and every 10 to 14 minutes in off-peak times.
With only one trip in each direction on the revised express routes, Yule believed it would ensure that it’s packed. Otherwise, commuters will have to explore other transit routes to get to and from work and home.
Calgary Transit said the express route changes wouldn’t impact routes in Ward 1, which are set for cancellation. Coun. Kim Tyers was the first to convey the frustration of commuters in her area over the express bus removal last fall.
Yule surmised that since there was an actual LRT service (Red Line) in the northwest that was connected through Calgary Transit bus service, those routes would remain unaffected.
“I think it’s an investment in Ward 3 transit,” Yule said.
“Right now, a lot is up in the air when it comes to Green Line. When it comes to operations, we’re growing rapidly north of Stoney Trail, so I understand the need for changing the model up.”
