Calgary CBE School Bus Registrations Fall After 40 Per Cent Transportation Fee Increase

CALGARY, August 17, 2026: The Calgary Board of Education is expecting a significant decline in school bus ridership for the 2026 to 2027 school year following a sharp increase in transportation fees, even as overall student enrolment across the public school system continues to grow.

The CBE is projecting that approximately 143,475 students will be enrolled during the upcoming school year, representing an increase of more than 1,000 students compared with the previous year. Despite that growth, the number of students registered for school transportation is expected to fall by about 1,000.

The decline comes after the school board approved a 40 per cent increase in transportation fees as part of its 2026 to 2027 budget.

Annual transportation fees for most CBE students have increased from $360 to $500, representing an additional $140 per student. Transportation fees for kindergarten students requiring one way service have also risen from $180 to $250.

The increase has become a major consideration for Calgary families preparing for the new school year, particularly households with multiple children who depend on school buses for their daily commute.

More than 24,500 students have already registered for CBE transportation services for the upcoming school year. The board expects the number to increase to approximately 26,000 by October as additional families complete registrations.

That figure would still be below the roughly 27,000 students who used CBE transportation during the previous school year.

The CBE has acknowledged that the higher fees represent a significant increase for families. The board says transportation charges are influenced by the amount of provincial funding it receives, the number of students using the service and the overall cost of operating the transportation system.

One of the main reasons for the increase is the declining transportation reserve fund. According to the board, the reserve that has been used to supplement transportation fees over recent years is expected to be almost completely exhausted by the end of the current school year.

At the same time, the cost of providing transportation services has continued to rise, placing additional financial pressure on the school system.

For families struggling to pay the increased fees, the CBE has indicated that financial assistance is available. Eligible families can apply for a transportation fee waiver, potentially reducing the financial burden associated with getting children to and from school.

The situation is different within the Calgary Catholic School District. The Calgary Catholic school board has said its transportation fees will remain unchanged for the 2026 to 2027 school year, with rates staying at the same level as the previous academic year.

The Catholic district continues to experience enrolment growth and says demand for regular education transportation appears relatively stable. It has also reported some growth in transportation requirements for students who require specialized services.

The different approaches taken by Calgary’s two major school boards have placed greater attention on the cost of student transportation and the financial challenges facing families across the city.

The issue is also part of a wider provincial transportation challenge. The Alberta government announced a $458 million commitment in its 2026 budget to support school transportation for approximately 348,000 students across the province.

Provincial officials said transportation funding has increased by $139 million, or 43.5 per cent, since 2022. The additional funding is intended to help school boards deal with rising operating costs while maintaining safe and reliable transportation for students.

Despite the additional provincial investment, school boards continue to face pressure from increasing transportation expenses and changing ridership patterns.

For the CBE, another factor that could influence transportation demand in the coming years is the expansion of Calgary’s school infrastructure.

The board currently has 21 new school projects in development. As those schools are completed and opened, the CBE expects more students will have the opportunity to attend schools closer to their homes.

That could reduce the number of students who need transportation outside their communities.

The board says that bringing schools closer to growing residential communities could eventually lower transportation demand by reducing the distance students need to travel each day.

The issue is particularly important in Calgary, where rapid residential development has created growing demand for new schools and transportation services in several communities.

For parents, however, the immediate concern remains the cost of transportation. A $140 annual increase for each student may appear manageable for some households, but families with two or three children using school buses could face several hundred dollars in additional expenses.

The projected decline in ridership suggests that some families may already be reconsidering whether school bus transportation remains affordable or necessary.

The CBE’s final ridership numbers will become clearer as the school year progresses and more families complete their registrations. The board expects approximately 26,000 students to use its transportation services by October, compared with about 27,000 during the previous school year.

The decline does not mean demand for school transportation has disappeared. Thousands of Calgary students continue to depend on buses, particularly those who live farther from their assigned schools or attend programs that are not available in their immediate communities.

As Calgary’s population and student enrolment continue to increase, the challenge for school authorities will be balancing affordability for families with the rising cost of providing safe and dependable transportation.

The CBE’s fee increase has already demonstrated how changes in transportation costs can influence family decisions. With more schools under development and additional provincial funding being provided, school boards will now be under pressure to find a sustainable long term approach that protects both service quality and affordability.

For Calgary families preparing for the 2026 to 2027 school year, the transportation debate is therefore about more than the price of a bus pass. It reflects the broader challenge of providing reliable education services in a rapidly growing city while managing increasing costs and ensuring that students can reach school safely every day.

Courtesy: calgaryherald