- 1918 - limited stop service was provided for
customers in outlying communities.
- 1930s - during the Depression, while many North
American transit services folded, Calgarians
continued to be served by a thriving street car
system.
- 1932 - gasoline fuelled buses were introduced to
serve areas of Calgary that did not have street car
service.
- 1940s - the transit system was modernized as the
street cars were phased out, with the last regular
street car run made in 1950*. To replace street
cars, a more responsive and flexible system of motor
buses and electric trolley buses was initiated.
*The last street car was restored and moved to
Heritage Park where it reminds park visitors of our
past.
- 1946 - the Calgary Municipal Railway was renamed
the Calgary Transit System (CTS).
- 1950 - 1975 - Calgary rapidly grew to a population
of almost half a million people and the bus and
trolley systems were expanded to meet the demand.
During the late 1960s and early 1970s, trolley
buses were phased out and replaced with diesel buses
that were more flexible in their routing, and more
economical.
- 1971 - exact fare system introduced to speed up
boarding and reduce operating costs.
- 1972 - CTS joined The City of Calgary
Transportation Department and was renamed Calgary
Transit.
Blue Arrow (limited stop) express service was
introduced to serve the downtown rush hour.
- 1978 - construction of the first leg of the CTrain
began.
- 1981 The 10.9 km south line from Anderson Road to 7
Avenue S.W. was officially opened on May 25.
- 1985 - Service commenced on the northeast leg of
the CTrain.
The northeast, 9.8 km line extends from the east
end of 7th Avenue, across the Bow River and
northeast to Whitehorn Station.
- 1986 - Community shuttle buses were introduced as
pilot projects in Edgemont/Hawkwood, Martidale/Taradale
and Shawnessy/Millrise.
- 1987 - The third leg of the CTrain system was
completed in the northwest.
The northwest line extends from the west end of
7th Avenue, across the Bow River and north to the
University of Calgary.
- 1990 - The northwest leg was extended to Brentwood
Station, increasing the line to 6.6 km.
- 1991 and 1992 - the bus fleet was expanded and a
new colour scheme was introduced on the buses -
white with navy, magenta and turquoise stripes.
- 2001 - The
south CTrain
line was extended
to Canyon Meadows (2.0 km)
and to Fish Creek
Lacombe (1.4 km).
- 2003 - The northwest CTrain line was extended to Dalhousie (3.0 km).
- 2004 - The southwest CTrain line was extended to
Shawnessy and Somerset/Bridlewood (3.0 km).
-
2007 - The northeast Ctrain line was extended to
McKnight-Westwinds (2.9 km).
Low floor buses provide service in many areas of
the city. These buses, which are equipped with
ramps, have no steps, and can "kneel"
within 10 cm of a standard curb, make boarding and
exiting easier for all customers. Each low floor bus
can carry two customers in wheelchairs or scooters.
Thirty community shuttle routes operate
throughout the city.
Community shuttle buses are more economical to
operate and allow Calgary Transit to introduce
service in new communities that do not have a large
enough population to support full-size bus service.
More economical off-peak service can be provided
with community shuttle buses.
They are also easier to operate in areas where
streets are narrow and may not accommodate a
full-size bus.
Today's transit fleet is made up of 261 regular
buses, 491 low floor buses, 105 community shuttle
buses, and 149 light rail vehicles.
Public transit provides transportation for those
individuals who cannot or choose not to transport
themselves.
