Calgary Launches Purple Line BRT Connecting Airport to Downtown
The new bus rapid transit route offers 25-minute service between YYC and the city centre.
Calgary Transit has launched the Purple Line, a new bus rapid transit route connecting Calgary International Airport to the downtown core in approximately 25 minutes, a long-sought public transit link to the city’s air gateway.
The Route
The Purple Line operates between the YYC airport terminal and City Hall station downtown, with limited stops at McKnight-Westwinds CTrain station, 16 Avenue N, and the SAIT/ACA/Jubilee station. Service runs every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 20 minutes in off-peak periods.
“Calgary is now the latest major Canadian city to offer a direct public transit connection to its airport,” said Mayor Jyoti Gondek. “This is a game-changer for travellers and airport workers alike.”
Fare and Service
The Purple Line uses Calgary Transit’s standard fare structure, making it one of the most affordable airport transit options in Canada at $3.60 per ride. By comparison, a taxi or rideshare from the airport to downtown typically costs $40–55.
Airport Worker Impact
The route is expected to be particularly valuable for the more than 24,000 people who work at or near the airport, many of whom currently face long, multi-transfer commutes by transit or rely on personal vehicles.
“I used to spend $350 a month on parking at the airport,” said YYC baggage handler Maria Santos. “This route saves me real money and gets me there faster than driving during rush hour.”
The Purple Line was funded through a combination of federal transit infrastructure grants and Calgary Transit’s operating budget. Future plans call for extension of the service to include the Cross Iron Mills area.
