Calgary curtailing bus and train frequency during pandemic

The City of Calgary has made some changes to public transit in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi spoke alongside Chief of the Calgary Emergency Management Agency Tom Sampson, and Calgary Transit Fleet Manager Russell Davies at a press conference on Wednesday to provide the update.

Davies stated that, beginning on April 6, there would be fewer trips per day on some routes, with Calgary transit bringing their service down to about 80%. He noted that this does not mean that any routes are being cancelled completely, just that some will see more time between buses on certain routes.

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Another change noted during the press conference was that buses and LRT will be reduced to 50% capacity in an effort to increase the space allowed to riders. There will be decals marking seats and encouraging passengers to give themselves space between each other.

Physical distancing will not be enforced by drivers, but will be the responsibility of the passengers themselves.

Thirdly, Davies stated that low-income and senior passes will be extended into May, meaning that March passes that were purchased will be valid through both April and May.