See Calgary By C-Train

C-Train in Downtown Calgary 1

Thousands of Calgarians and tourists alike use Calgary Transit to get around the city, many using the Calgary light rail transit system, more commonly known as the Calgary LRT or C-Train. With 36 stations at present and two major extension projects in the works, the C-Train covers all major quadrants of the city. The system is comprised of two major lines, route 201 and 202. Line 201 runs in a north to south direction, starting at the Dalhousie Station located in the north to the Somerset/Bridlewood Station in the south. Line 202 runs in an east to west direction, starting at the Whitehorn Station to the 10th Street SW Station located in downtown.

Calgary LRT started operating in 1981, with the introduction of a south line running from Anderson Station to City Hall. A northeast line was implemented in 1985 and the northwest line was constructed in 1987, prior to the 1988 Winter Olympic Games. Other extensions to the northwest and south lines occurred in 1990, 2001, 2003 and 2004. The northeast line will see a new station, with the McKnight/Westwinds Station scheduled to open in 2007. A northwest extension will open in 2008.

With daily weekday ridership exceeding 230,000 passengers, the C-Train is the most highly used light rail transit system in North America. It is powered by wind-generated electricity, resulting in a 100 per cent emissions-free form of public transportation. On some occasions including New Year's Eve and the Calgary Stampede, the train operates 24 hours, providing a safe alternative for party goers to get home.

Changing Trains
To reach some destinations, passengers will need to change trains, connecting at stations found along the Seventh Avenue Free Fare Zone, a designated area where no tickets or passes are needed. Anything outside of this zone requires riders to purchase a ticket or pass. Tickets and passes are readily found throughout the city at selected vendors including convenience stores. Passengers can also purchase and validate transit tickets at vending machines found at all LRT stations and platforms. When transferring from a city bus to the C-Train, ask the bus driver for a transfer, which is valid for 90 minutes from the time indicated on the transfer. If transferring from a C-Train to a city bus, save the train ticket and give it to the bus driver. LRT platforms feature digital displays that indicate the destination station of the approaching train. Trains are also labelled, indicating their final terminal; Somerset for south-bound trains, Dalhousie for northwest trains, Whitehorn for northeast trains and City Centre for trains travelling into downtown, stopping at the 10th Street SW Station.

	Calgary Tower and Centre Street 2

TOURIST DESTINATIONS

Using the Calgary C-Train has its advantages. Many of Calgary's main attractions and venues are conveniently located at or near several LRT stations, providing direct and easy access. There are no parking fees to worry about and with the use of a transfer, trips are economical. Several park and ride lots enable passengers to park their vehicles at no cost and board the train, very convenient for people commuting to and from outside the city. The fact that the LRT uses wind power makes it an environmentally-sound form of transportation.

Downtown
The downtown LRT stations see the most ridership, with many using it to commute to and from work and within the downtown core. Strategic stations enable visitors to see some of downtown Calgary's main attractions including the city landmark, the Calgary Tower. Tourists can get off at either the Centre Street or First Street SW Stations and walk a block up to the tower's location on Ninth Avenue. Many use the tower as a landmark in relation to other downtown attractions. The Calgary Tower also provides a hub of tourist information and resources including souvenir shopping, fine-dining, visitor information, free Internet access and of course a fantastic view of the city. Recently installed, the glass floor provides dizzying views of the street below, making for fun pictures and interesting views.

Located a block south from the Calgary Tower on Eighth Avenue is the shopping and restaurant area known as Stephen Avenue. Many shops, restaurants and pubs are found along the boulevard making it an ideal resting stop and providing a chance to enjoy some people watching. On warm, sunny days, many vendors set up booths along the strip, creating a market-themed shopping experience.

Calgary Olympic Plaza 3

Walk up along Stephen Avenue or take the C-Train at the Seventh Street LRT Station and get off three stops down at the Olympic Plaza Station. As the name implies, Calgary Olympic Plaza was constructed for the 1988 Winter Olympic Games for medal presentations. Today, the plaza hosts concerts, festivals, a wading pool and ice-skating. Within three blocks of Olympic Plaza is a hub of performing arts venues and galleries known as the Calgary Arts District including the EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts and Theatre Calgary. Other cultural attractions in the area include the Glenbow Museum, the Art Gallery of Calgary and the TELUS Convention Centre.

Stampede Grounds
One stop after City Hall brings visitors to the Victoria Park/Stampede Station, providing an entrance to the Stampede Grounds, headquarters of the world-renowned Calgary Exhibition and Stampede. Several venues are found on the grounds including the Pengrowth Saddledome, the Calgary Roundup Centre and the Big Four Building.

The Pengrowth Saddledome, or the Dome as it is known, is the city's main concert venue and hosts Calgary Flames and Calgary Hitmen hockey games. C-Train schedules may be extended to run later after major games and events. Many conferences and trade shows take place at the Roundup Centre including the popular Calgary Women's Show. The Big Four Building is home of the Stampede Casino, offering year-round adult entertainment and fun.

C-Train Tracks 5

Fish Creek Provincial Park
For a retreat from the hectic pace of everyday, find solace at Fish Creek Provincial Park, located within the city. The Fish Creek/Lacombe Station provides nearby access to the day-use only park, which is open year-round. Many Calgarians take advantage of the park's trails offering hiking and bicycling opportunities as well as cross-country skiing in the winter. Facilities found at the park include washrooms, picnic areas and a boat launch. Visitors should be aware that coyotes are found at the park and caution should be taken.

	EPCOR Centre for the Performing Arts 4

Calgary Zoo
The Calgary Zoo, along with its Botanical Gardens, is one of Calgary's main tourist destinations offering an exciting day out in the city. Riders can disembark at the Zoo Station and make their way through a connecting tunnel, adorned with animal pictographs carved into the walls of the passageway leading into the zoo grounds. The Calgary Zoo is always working on innovative ways to capture the interest of visitors including the construction of Destination Africa, a complex housing African animals including western lowland gorillas, river hippos and giraffes.

The Dorothy Harvie Gardens offers a relaxing stroll, allowing visitors to admire the blossoming flowers, plants, trees and shrubs that thrive in Calgary's chinook weather climate. A walk through the conservatory complex takes visitors through a lush tropical rainforest, an arid garden and even a colourful butterfly sanctuary. The zoo also hosts several events throughout the year including the popular Zoolights, featuring Christmas light displays and Boo at the Zoo, filled with Halloween fun. The Pre-Historic Park includes realistic sculptures of dinosaurs and pre-historic landscapes, providing a look back at an ancient time.

Residential/Schools/Industrial/Shopping
Most of the C-Train stops provide access to residential and industrial areas of the city. Three of Calgary's main post-secondary institutions are found on the C-Train route including the University of Calgary, Southern Alberta Institute of Technology and Alberta College of Art and Design. Post-secondary students at these schools can take advantage of the Universal Pass Program, using student identification cards with valid stickers as a transit pass. Contact Calgary Transit for more information.

Many of Calgary's main shopping centres can also be accessed using the C-Train including Calgary's largest mall, Chinook Centre. Other malls that are accessible along C-Train routes include, Southcentre, Sunridge and TD Square.