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Everything you need to know about getting around on Calgary Transit during CTrain disruptions
Most journeys by CTrain are uneventful but construction, emergencies and unexpected incidents may occasionally cause delays or disruptions that can significantly affect commutes.
Postmedia staffer Ricky Leong, a longtime Calgary Transit user and an occasional transit commentator , shares some essential resources to help riders navigate the transit system when portions of the CTrain are out of service.
Current/planned CTrain disruptions
Unplanned ctrain disruptions.
Do you have suggestions for bus alternatives in case of CTrain disruptions? Leave a note in the comments section below to share your tip with us and with other riders.
Information listed in this post is accurate as of the fall schedule effective Sept. 2, 2024. Further updates will be made as the transit system evolves and as suggestions from readers come in.
The Red Line will be closed between Brentwood and Sunnyside from 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 30, until 12 p.m. Monday, Sept. 2. Service is expected to be restored in time for the Labour Day Classic.
In the event of an unplanned interruption to CTrain services, listen for messages on station platforms and look for written messages on information screens at stations, on Calgary Transit’s website, and on its social media account .
If the disruption is serious and/or prolonged, shuttle bus services may be provided. Shuttle stops are usually in station bus loops, where such facilities exist. They may also be located on streets near stations. In downtown Calgary, CTrain shuttles operate on 6th Avenue going west, and 9th Avenue going east.
Those who wish to avoid the CTrain or shuttle services during a service outage and ride a scheduled bus service instead can use Calgary Transit’s official trip planner on its website , or through the Transit app for mobile devices. Just remember to deselect the CTrain from the list of travel options.
For those without a smartphone/mobile internet or who prefer memorizing route options, bookmark this page and look below to find a number of alternatives to get around the city without using the train.
City Centre/Downtown Calgary
- Options for U of C, SAIT, AUA
- Red Line south
- Blue Line northeast
- Blue Line west
- Crosstown bus routes bypassing City Centre
Bus alternatives will often take longer than using the train — so much so that in some cases, it might be faster to wait for service to resume or for a shuttle service to start. It will be up to individual riders to weigh all the options and make a decision right for their situation.
If Calgary Transit shuttle buses are provided, they will operate on 6th Avenue going west and 9th Avenue going east. If you wish you use the regular bus network instead, there are a number of east-west options close to the CTrain line on 7th Avenue.
Buses running eastbound on significant portions of 5th Avenue:
- Routes 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 13, 17, 90, 301, Max Yellow
Buses running westbound on significant portions of 6th Avenue:
- Routes 1, 2, 4, 6, 17, 22, 66, 301, 302, Max Yellow, Max Purple
Buses running eastbound on significant portions of 9th Avenue:
- Routes 1, 22, 66, 300, 302, Max Yellow, Max Purple
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Red Line in northwest Calgary
Most stations on the northwest segment of the Red Line connect to each other directly through the local bus network.
One exception is Sunnyside. Routes 1, 4, 5 and 104 stop at the station and/or in the Kensington BIA. Riders going to/from areas normally served by train may need to make transfers. If your destination is on the west side of the BIA, Route 65 is another option.
Those using Tuscany station should note the bus ride to/from Crowfoot on Route 138 is a circuitous neighbourhood line that will add significant time to the trip.
Options for University of Calgary, SAIT and Alberta University of the Arts
Major destinations at or near CTrain stations in the northwest include large post-secondary institutions.
- Route 90 connects with the Beltline, downtown Calgary and Bridgeland.
- Route 9 (Dalhousie/Chinook) and Route 20 (North-Central Calgary/Heritage), whose routes go through northwest and southwest Calgary, also have a bus stop adjacent to the University LRT station.
- Route 104 runs to Sunnyside station via Foothills Medical Centre.
- Other routes — notably Max Orange, Route 38 and Route 108 — have bus stops serving the north side of the university campus.
- A number of bus routes run along the edges of the SAIT/Alberta University of the Arts campus, including Routes 4 and 5 on 10th Street N.W., Routes 19 and Max Orange on 16th Avenue, and Route 65 on 14th Street N.W.
Red Line in south Calgary
Many stations on the south part of the Red Line are directly connected to each other via the local bus network.
However, there are no direct bus alternatives between Fish Creek-Lacombe and Canyon Meadows stations, where the Red Line crosses Fish Creek Provincial Park. Waiting for a shuttle or using a non-transit option may be a better choice than other bus alternatives.
That being said, if travelling within the southernmost segment of the Red Line, there are multiple bus options connecting Somerset-Bridlewood, Shawnessy and Fish Creek-Lacombe stations. It should be noted some of these trips go into local neighbourhoods between stations.
Route 81 operates Monday to Saturday on and near Macleod Trail south of Chinook station to Southcentre Mall, but its service hours are limited compared to those of the train.
Route 10 runs on Macleod Trail north of Chinook station to downtown. It also connects with Anderson station via Fairmount Drive and Southcentre Mall.
Route 3 runs on 4th Street S.W. and Elbow Drive about a 10- to 20-minute walk west of the Red Line between the city centre and Heritage station. Similarly, Route 37 operates similarly on Elbow Drive west of the Red Line. These could be an interesting alternative for some commuters.
Riders needing to travel between Canyon Meadows and Anderson stations, which also don’t have a direct bus connection between them, can try Route 37 on the west side of the Red Line. A longer, walk-heavy alternative also exists on the east side of the Red Line at that location: a combination of Route 44, a long stroll across Glenmore Trail and through Southcentre Mall, then local buses from there to Anderson. As noted earlier, riders will need to weigh these options against time spent waiting for a shuttle or waiting for service to resume.
Blue Line northeast Calgary
Most stations on the northeast segment of the Blue Line connect to each other directly through the local bus network.
One notable exception is the station at the Calgary Zoo. The closest buses are Route 90 in Bridgeland and Routes 1, 101 and Max Purple in Inglewood. It’s about a 10- to 15-minute walk from the zoo to the nearest bus stops.
Max Bell/Barlow station has limited bus access to/from other CTrain stations but there are mainline buses running to neighbourhoods near the station.
Blue Line in west Calgary
Most stations along the west leg of the Blue Line are directly connected to each other with local bus routes.
One notable exception is between Sirocco and 45th Street stations, where there’s an 800-metre gap (about a 10- to 15-minute walk) between Sirocco station and the last stop for Route 2 on 17th Avenue S.W., which runs to/near many Blue Line stations in the west.
Another is between Sunalta and Shaganappi Point station, where some backtracking is likely required to get from one to the other.
Crosstown bus routes bypassing downtown Calgary
Many mainline bus routes intersecting with CTrain services downtown also connect with crosstown routes ringing the central parts of the city.
- Routes 19, 38 and Max Orange connect the Red Line in the northwest with the Blue Line in the northeast.
- Route 9 connects the Red Line in the northwest, the Blue Line in the west and the Red Line in the south.
- Max Teal connects the Blue Line in the west with the Red Line in the south.
- Route 43 connects the Blue Line in the northeast with the Red Line in the south.
- Starting Sept. 2, 2024: New Route 26 connects the Red Line in the Northwest with the Blue Line in the west.
Consider using those or other crosstown bus alternatives not shown here to avoid CTrain service disruptions in the city centre when they occur.
Information in this post is adapted from publicly available Calgary Transit data.
Feedback? Send an email to [email protected]
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Download Transit, our trip planning app, to plan your trip and track your ride. Transit can help you plan your journey from start to finish, letting you know all your options, and gives you step-by-step directions to make sure you get where you need to go. Call 403-974-4000 and have your 4-digit ...
The Calgary Transit Access Trip Booking tool allows you to view, book and cancel your own trips online anytime*, from the convenience of your own device. This tool will help make the service more informative, easy to use and reliable. This tool is supported through regular desktop and laptop computers, as well as Mobile Apple and Android products.
The call centre booking line is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and closed on statutory holidays. To book a trip, call 403-537-7777, option 2. If you want to check the date and time of a trip you already booked call 403-537-7777, option 1. When a trip is booked (scheduled and confirmed) we will give you a 20-minute pickup window.
Star your favourite routes for instant access to upcoming departures. Check service disruptions and changes, and register for push notifications for the routes you care about. Save home/work locations for quicker trip planning. Check out our Calgary Transit App 101 booklet. Try it today! Get it on Google Play Download on iTunes
Our trip planner is a useful tool that will help you plan your trip on our system. You can find it through our website or on the YYC Transit app on your mobile device (iOS or Android). You can also call customer service at 403-262-1000 and ask them to plan a trip for you. First time taking Calgary Transit? We can help.
We've selected Transit as our official app provider for our next-generation mobility-as-a-service trip planning app! Beginning June 28, Transit will be our official trip planning app. It will be very similar to YYCTransit, our current trip planning app, but you'll now automatically be upgraded to Transit Royale, Transit 's subscription ...
Find a schedule. Find out what time your bus will arrive and how frequently the runs. This will help you plan your transfer and lets you know when your connecting bus or CTrain will be coming. Download our Calgary Transit app to track real-time schedules on-the-go, or you can call our Teleride service at 403-974-4000 or text the four digit bus ...
2. Call Centre - Telephone. The call centre booking line is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily and closed on statutory holidays. To book a trip, call 403-537-7777, option 2. If you want to check the date and time of a trip you already booked call 403-537-7777, option 1. When a trip is booked (scheduled and confirmed) we will give you a 20-minute ...
Next Rides. Route Schedules. Plan a Trip
Rider resources; Rider information Learn about tools and tips on how to use Calgary's transit system safely and efficiently.; How to ride List of tips on easy ways to ride the transit.; Park and Ride Bus and CTrain terminals offer paid parking and free parking.; Bikes on Transit Here are some tips for taking your bike on the bus or the train.; Rider tools Whether you are waiting for a bus or ...
Rider resources; Rider information Learn about tools and tips on how to use Calgary's transit system safely and efficiently.; How to ride List of tips on easy ways to ride the transit.; Park and Ride Bus and CTrain terminals offer paid parking and free parking.; Bikes on Transit Here are some tips for taking your bike on the bus or the train.; Rider tools Whether you are waiting for a bus or ...
Teleride. Call 403-974-4000 and have your 4-digit bus stop number ready (located at the bottom of the bus stop sign). Press 1 + the four digit stop number for current bus times. Press 2 + the four digit stop number for future bus times. Press 3 for general information. Note: Teleride may not answer your call if you have your caller ID hidden.
To cancel a trip, call 403-537-7777, option 1 or option 3 to speak with an agent. Although you can access the automated phone line to cancel your trip 24 hours a day, we require at least two hours notice. If you do not show up for a booked trip or cancel with less than two hours notice, warning letters and service suspensions may result.
Rider resources; Rider information Learn about tools and tips on how to use Calgary's transit system safely and efficiently.; How to ride List of tips on easy ways to ride the transit.; Park and Ride Bus and CTrain terminals offer paid parking and free parking.; Bikes on Transit Here are some tips for taking your bike on the bus or the train.; Rider tools Whether you are waiting for a bus or ...
The trip planning tools on the Calgary Transit website or in the officially supported Transit App allow riders to deselect the CTrain when searching for trips. * New Route 26 starts running on ...
Find a schedule. Find out what time your bus will arrive and how frequently it runs. This will help you plan your transfer and lets you know when your connecting bus or CTrain will be coming. Download our Calgary Transit app to track real-time schedules on-the-go, or you can call our Teleride service at 403-974-4000 or text the four digit bus ...
Plan a Trip Search for your destination and plan out your routes.; Schedules & Maps Find out the schedules for your routes and route stops.; Next Ride Find out you next ride schedule for your route or stop.; Maps View and download our CTrain and bus routes and schedules.
The Weekend Group Day Pass is available on My Fare, the Transit trip planning app, and through ticket vending machines (TVMs) at CTrain stations. The Weekend Group Day Pass is not valid for CTA trips. $16.00. Low Income Monthly Pass. Cost is determined based on your income. Learn more about our Low Income Monthly Passes. Regular Seniors Annual ...
Plan a trip Search for your destination and plan out your routes.; Schedules Find out the schedules for your routes and route stops.; Next ride Find out you next ride schedule for your route or stop.; Maps View and download our CTrain and bus routes and schedules.
Rider resources; Rider information Learn about tools and tips on how to use Calgary's transit system safely and efficiently.; How to ride List of tips on easy ways to ride the transit.; Park & Ride Bus and CTrain terminals offer paid parking and free parking.; Bikes on Transit Here are some tips for taking your bike on the bus or the train.; Rider tools Whether you are waiting for a bus or ...
This will help you plan your transfer and lets you know when your connecting bus or CTrain will be coming. Download our Calgary Transit app to track real-time schedules on-the-go, or you can call our Teleride service at 403-974-4000 or text the four digit bus number (space) bus number to 74000.:
Rider tools Whether you are waiting for a bus or planning your trip, our tools can help you stay informed along the way. ... Calgary Transit On Demand Trip Booking (403-262-1000 option 2) Saturday, August 31 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday, September 1 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday, September 2 (Labour Day) ...
Rider tools Whether you are waiting for a bus or planning your trip, our tools can help you stay informed along the way. ... Calgary Transit On Demand Trip Booking (403-262-1000 option 2) Saturday, August 31 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday, September 1 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. Monday, September 2 (Labour Day) ...