Transit fare evasion
Transit fare evasion
When riding Calgary’s transit system in a fare-restricted fare area, it is a legal requirement for all passengers aged 13 years or older to have a valid ticket, permit, pass or transfer.
When riding Calgary’s transit system in a fare-restricted fare area, it is a legal requirement for all passengers aged 13 years or older to have a valid ticket, permit, pass or transfer.
Transit peace officers may ask you to produce a valid fare when you board or use a transit vehicle or are within a Restricted Fare Area.
Calgary Transit has a variety of payment options, including the My Fare app, to make your trip as convenient as possible.
Remember, if you need to take a combination of bus routes or the CTrain and pay by cash or paper tickets, ask your bus driver for a transfer or hold on to your validated ticket from the CTrain. Your transfer is valid for 90 minutes.
Calgary Transit endeavours to keep transit services affordable. However, fare charges are necessary to help cover costs and maintain our customer commitment to providing a safe, reliable and clean service. We are also investing in our transit system to keep pace with our growing population and increasing service demand.
Frequently asked questions
What do I do if a transit peace officer asks to see my mobile ticket?
Please present your valid mobile ticket for inspection.
How do I validate my mobile ticket?
On Wednesday, July 16, Calgary Transit introduced a new process for customers to use mobile tickets (My Fare/Transit app) on the CTrain system. Tap the ‘activate ticket’ button and then scan it against a platform validator prior to boarding a CTrain. Scanning it will convert the ticket to a valid proof of fare. The same ‘activate-then-validate’ step has been in place on buses since 2019. Visit calgarytransit.com for more information
How does the driver/transit peace officer know my ticket is valid?
Hand-held inspection devices may be used by peace officers to scan the QR code on the mobile fare to confirm the validity of the mobile ticket. They can also be visually inspected by peace officers.
Failure to produce valid fare upon demand to a peace officer may result in issuance of a violation ticket.
What is the penalty for fare evasion?
The municipal bylaw of Calgary number 4M81 section 9(1) states:
Any person who is found boarding or using a transit vehicle or entering or within a Restricted Fare Area and who fails to produce to an officer upon demand a valid fare is guilty of an offence.
If you can’t provide a valid transit fare upon demand, you’ll be subject to a $250 fine.
How do I pay a fare evasion fine?
Information regarding fine payments, including online payments, is available at Alberta Fine Payments - MyAlberta eServices. Fines cannot be paid via Calgary Transit.
What happens if the fine is not paid?
All unpaid fines are sent to Alberta Registries for collection.
Do I need a valid ticket to ride the TD Free Fare Zone?
Riders do not need a ticket if their journey is restricted to the TD Free Fare Zone along 7 Avenue downtown.
What transit fare options are available for low income Calgarians?
Low income monthly transit passes and low income seniors annual transit passes are available for eligible applicants.