Calgary Transit introduces new 500-series express routes

Calgarians have a new way to travel across the city with the launch of Calgary Transit’s new 500-series express routes, a modernized approach to express service designed to provide faster connections, better integration with the transit network and more value for customers.

The first route in the series, Route 503 Symons Valley Express, begins service today, connecting Sage Hill and surrounding communities with downtown through a direct, limited-stop service. Calgary Transit is also renaming Route 300 Airport/City Centre to Route 500 Airport Express, creating the foundation for a new family of express routes that will expand over time.

“Calgary is growing, and the way people travel is changing,” says Sharon Fleming, Director of Calgary Transit. “The new 500-series gives customers the fast, direct service they value while better connecting them to the rest of our transit network. It is a smarter, more flexible approach that helps us serve more people, more efficiently.”

The 500-series is part of Calgary Transit’s ongoing work to build a more connected, reliable network in line with RouteAhead, Calgary Transit’s 30-year strategic plan. Unlike traditional express routes, which primarily operated during peak periods and in one direction, the new 500-series model provides two-way service throughout the day, allowing customers to travel to a wider range of destinations when it works for them.

The new express network has been designed to:

• Provide fast, direct travel with limited stops
• Offer more consistent service throughout the day
• Better connect customers to transit hubs and local routes
• Support travel to a wider variety of destinations across Calgary
• Make more effective use of available transit resources

The launch of Route 503 also supports broader improvements made through Calgary Transit’s North Central Transit Service Review. The route creates a direct connection between Sage Hill and downtown while complementing existing services such as MAX Green and local community routes. It also helps maximize previous investments in transit infrastructure along key corridors including Centre Street North.

The 500-series is part of Calgary Transit’s strategy to ensure investments made by Council deliver the greatest benefit for customers. “This is about making the best use of every transit dollar,” says Fleming. “The 500-series allows us to deliver the speed and convenience customers want while supporting a network that is more reliable, connected and sustainable for the future.”

The performance of Route 503 will help inform future 500-series routes planned for other areas of Calgary as the city continues to grow and travel patterns evolve.

For route information, schedules and trip planning tools, visit calgarytransit.com.

Courtesy: The City of Calgary Newsroom