Calgary city council voted unanimously to conduct an in-depth review of the downtown free-fare transit zone on Feb. 24, 2026 [1].
The decision comes as city leaders and business representatives evaluate whether the program provides sufficient economic value to justify its cost to taxpayers. The review focuses on the potential for modifying or continuing the service along Seventh Avenue between City Hall and the Downtown West/Kerby CTrain stations [1, 2].
City council members voted 14-0 to support the review [1]. This move follows a period of instability regarding the zone's funding, specifically after TD Bank ended its sponsorship of the program two years early [3, 4].
The free-fare zone has been a fixture of downtown Calgary since the late 1970s [5]. It allows commuters and visitors to travel within a specific downtown corridor without paying a fare, a policy designed to encourage foot traffic, and support local businesses.
Deborah Yedlin, president of the Calgary Chamber of Commerce, joined council members in discussions regarding the zone's impact. While some previous discussions saw council narrowly vote against eliminating the zone entirely, the current unanimous push for a review indicates a shift toward a data-driven assessment of the program's viability [1, 4].
Council will now examine the financial burden on the city and compare it to the economic stimulation provided by the free transit access. The results of this review will determine if the zone remains in its current form, undergoes modification, or is phased out to reduce public spending [2].
“City council voted 14-0 to support the review”
The review signals a transition from relying on corporate partnerships to a more critical assessment of public subsidies. With the loss of a major sponsor like TD Bank, the city must now decide if the economic activity generated by the free-fare zone outweighs the direct cost to the municipal budget.
