Ride the Wind

Ride the Wind! is a program where all of Calgary Transit’s CTrains are powered entirely by wind-generated electricity, making the CTrain 100 per cent emissions free.

Although the CTrain itself does not produce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the supply of electricity used for CTrain traction power originating from coal or natural gas powered facilities does. Using wind-generated power eliminates these greenhouse gases.

As a result, approximately 47,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions are reduced annually, the equivalent of removing over eight million private vehicle trips from Calgary’s streets each year! Since the program began in 2001, over 325,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions have been eliminated.

With the new West CTrain line under construction and further stations planned on the existing lines, the savings in emissions will increase significantly in the next few years.

History

On September 1, 2001Calgary Transit partnered with ENMAX and Vision Quest Windelectric to develop the Ride the Wind! program.

These windmills are located in Southern Alberta, that generates this wind-power. The equivalent amount of power used by the CTrain is sent to the main power grid.

This initiative made Calgary Transit is the first and only public light rail transit system in North America to power its train fleet with wind-generated electricity! Were not aware of any other program like this in the world!!!

Awards

Since the implementation of Ride the Wind, Calgary Transit has received several prestigious awards.