Calgary Mayor suggests expanding CTrain free-fare zone to Stampede grounds

Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas says the city should consider expanding the CTrain’s free-fare zone to include the Calgary Stampede grounds, a move he believes could make transportation easier for the millions of visitors attending the annual event.

More than 1.5 million people are expected to visit the 10-day Stampede, and Farkas says extending the free-fare area would help visitors move more conveniently between downtown and the Stampede grounds.

Farkas described the current free-fare zone as a “gamechanger” for people travelling during the event and suggested that expanding it could further improve access.

“If anything, I think the debate should be extending the line,” Farkas said, adding that including the Stampede grounds would allow visitors to move more easily between the park and downtown areas.

Meanwhile, Calgary Transit says its operations have been running smoothly despite increased crowds during this year’s Stampede.

Jonathan Lea, senior lead of service design with Calgary Transit, said the agency has prepared for the busy period by using experience from previous years.

“This isn’t our first rodeo, so to speak,” Lea said.