Calgary Transit to reduce service hours by 30 percent in late May
Calgary Transit, which is facing an estimated C$89-million (US463.39 million) loss in revenues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, will implement a 30-percent reduction in service hours in May and will lay off 430 employees.
The city says the cost-cutting moves follow an evaluation of the entire transit system to ensure the transit system is able to provide “meaningful service” for residents to travel to work and essential food and medical facilities.
As of May 25, Calgary Transit will temporarily eliminate 25 routes and reduce the frequency of 30 weekday routes and 19 weekend routes. In total, the service changes represent a 30-percent reduction in service hours from March 2020 levels.
“These changes will ensure coverage across our city, but there will inevitably be some negative impacts to the customer experience,” the city said in a May 8 update on the pandemic’s impact.
Calgary Transit says it will continually monitor ridership levels once the changes are in place and will adjust as needed.
Calgary Transit is not alone in this struggle. Layoffs and service reductions have been seen at Toronto Transit Commission and Edmonton Transit System. TransLink announced cost reduction plans, but later pulled those back following a commitment by the province of British Columbia to ensure transit service.
The Canadian Urban Transit Association (CUTA) is advocating for transit agencies across Canada and has requested C$400 million (US$283.58 million) per month to help systems recoup lost revenue.
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
