Calgary Transit, Milton Transit set to expand transit services to better ridership needs

Calgary Transit and Milton Transit are expanding their respective transit services to offer more rides for users.  

Calgary Transit 

Beginning March 22, Calgary Transit will be launching a two-car train pilot on weekends. The two-car train service will operate on both Saturdays and Sundays in addition to public holidays and will be closely monitored to inform future plans. The agency notes additional floater trains will be deployed during times of high weekend demand such as concerts and Calgary Flames hockey games, while significant city-wide events like the Calgary Stampede and the Rotary International Convention this summer will temporarily increase train lengths to three or four cars. 

According to the city of Calgary, Alberta, since 2022, annual ridership numbers on Calgary Transit have been growing and returning to 2019 pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels. The city says in 2024, more than 101 million customers were served by Calgary Transit. Outside of special events, weekend ridership has also been increasing, with 84 passengers on average riding the train per trip (up to 300 during busy periods) but under the 400-person capacity of two train cars. 

By reducing the number of train cars on weekends to match demand, Calgary Transit aims to reduce costs related to energy, maintenance and operations while ensuring an optimized service for weekend riders. 

“We know how important transit service is for our customers and how critical it is to use our funds responsibly,” said Calgary Transit Manager Aaron Coon. “This pilot allows us to match service with demand while maintaining reliability and availability for those who depend on public transit.” 

The city notes In addition to an optimized weekend service, other benefits to the two-car train pilot include: 

• Lower energy consumption: Fewer CTrain cars reduce energy usage over the weekend by 33 percent. 
• Reduced maintenance: Less wear and tear on vehicles and infrastructure reduces maintenance needs while extending the lifespan of the overall system. 
• Safety and security: Fewer CTrain cars streamline patrols for transit peace officers. 

Leading up to the pilot, the city says signage and a public awareness campaign will begin supporting customers with the change. Shorter trains will still stop at the end of platforms, meaning riders may be asked to move further down than usual. 

If the pilot proves successful, the city notes Calgary Transit may consider expanding two-car operations to non-peak hours on weekdays, with a full evaluation scheduled for the fall. Customers are encouraged to share feedback during the pilot program through Calgary Transit’s customer service channels. 

Milton Transit 

Milton Transit ridership surpassed one million trips in 2024, and an annual report to the town of Milton, Ontario, Council highlights plans for services to grow in 2025. 

According to the agency, ridership for conventional and on-demand services rose 73 percent compared to 2023, totaling 1,072,922 fare-paying trips in 2024. 

The 2024 growth came as the Milton Council approved plans for future improvements, expansion and modernization. Milton Council identified increased transit investment as a priority in the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan. 

Key projects in the 2025 Milton Transit work plan include: 

• Summer 2025: Introduce the diesel-to-battery electric bus into service. 
• Fall 2025: Launch Sunday service, extend weekday evening service to 10:30 p.m. and expand service to the Boyne neighborhood. 
• Ongoing: Develop the Transit Garage Facility. 

Milton Transit says ridership in 2025 is projected to exceed 2024 levels by up to 25 percent due to continued population growth and post-secondary expansion. 

“Milton Transit continues to help more people get to work, school and other important locations. Adding service on Sundays, later on weekday evenings and in new areas will help us keep pace with Milton’s increased mobility needs and smart density goals,” said Milton Transit Commissioner of Corporate Services Kristene Scott.