‘Quite concerned’: Calgary mayor weighs in on LRT free fare zone debate

Following a recommendation from administration last week, city council is set to vote on the removal of Calgary Transit's downtown free fare zone for the CTrain.

Debate over the proposed removal of Calgary’s downtown free fare CTrain zone continues to intensify, with Mayor Jeromy Farkas now questioning the city’s reasoning behind it.

“I’m quite concerned about the potential elimination of the free zone,” he said when asked about the issue on Tuesday.

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The change was recommended by a city committee last week and is set for a final council vote on May 26.

At the centre of the debate is public safety.

City administration says adding a fare could help curb public disorder on the train and give peace officers greater ability to address disruptive behaviour.

Farkas argues that adding fares could reduce downtown activity, having the opposite effect.

“Ten to 15 per cent of the boardings for the LRT are through the free zone,” Farkas said.

“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 is also calling the city’s estimated revenue from scrapping the zone too optimistic.

The city projects removing the zone would generate an extra $5 million annually, a figure Farkas says doesn’t factor in the possibility that fewer people could choose to ride through the downtown core if fares are introduced.

The free fare zone has been in place since 1981.

If council approves the recommendation later this month, regular fares would apply through downtown beginning as early as Aug. 1.