Calgary Transit Records Zero Age Verification Tickets in 2025
According to a city briefing presented to Calgary's council, transit peace officers did not issue a single ticket to bus or train passengers for failing to provide proof of age from October 2024 through the end of 2025. This data emerged in response to an administrative inquiry submitted by Mayor Jeromy Farkas during the 2026 budget deliberations in December, focusing on fare evasion among adults potentially misusing the youth free fare benefit.
Background on Youth Free Fare Policy
Youth under 12 have been eligible to ride Calgary Transit for free since January 2023. While a proposed amendment sought to remove this free ridership policy from the city's 2026 budget, it was narrowly voted down by council with an 8-7 decision. The policy has sparked ongoing debate regarding its impact on fare compliance and transit operations.
Mixed Feedback from Transit Operators
In 2024, administration gathered feedback from bus operators regarding the youth free fare benefit, which revealed mixed sentiments among transit employees. According to the briefing attributed to Ian Bushell, the city's director of emergency management and community safety, most operators did not report changes to fare-related interactions. However, a small number observed a perceived increase in fare evasion since implementation, with some indicating negative impacts on job satisfaction.
Enforcement Measures and Gaps
To address enforcement gaps, council amended the city's transit bylaw in the fall of 2024. This amendment allowed peace officers to request passengers' identification in cases where officers had reason to believe an individual was abusing the free fare benefit. Despite this regulatory change, from October 2024 through December 2025, transit peace officers issued zero tickets to passengers for not providing proof of age upon request.
Data Analysis Challenges
The briefing notes that further data analysis is required to determine if any fare evasion violation tickets issued during the same period were also instances of riders over the age of 18 using the free fare benefit. Due to the volume of fare evasion tickets issued—nearly 10,000—such analysis would represent significant work, requiring additional funding that would need to be approved via a notice of motion from council.
Official Statement from Calgary Transit
In a statement, a Calgary Transit spokesperson clarified the enforcement protocol: if a passenger is unable to provide proof of age upon request, they would be issued a fare evasion fine. This underscores the existing mechanisms in place, even as the data shows no tickets specifically for age verification failures in the reported period.
The findings highlight the complexities of implementing and monitoring fare policies in public transportation systems, balancing accessibility for youth with revenue protection and operational efficiency.
