City seeks feedback on proposed rapid bus route connecting Saddleridge to Seton
The city of Calgary is moving forward with plans to upgrade Calgary Transit’s No. 23 route to a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) line. The current No. 23 route travels along 52nd Street E., which is the city’s longest street and second busiest bus corridor. This route connects Saddle Ridge in the northeast to Seton in the southeast, covering a distance of approximately 30 kilometers.
The No. 23 route is the third busiest local bus route in Calgary and has seen increasing ridership over the years. Recognizing the need for a more efficient and reliable transit service, the city is looking to upgrade the route to a BRT line. BRT lines, such as the proposed one for 52nd Street E., offer more frequent service, dedicated bus lanes, signal prioritization, heated shelters, and real-time information displays, among other features.
The decision to upgrade the No. 23 route to a BRT line was identified as a priority project in Calgary Transit’s 30-year strategic plan, RouteAhead. The city has conducted public consultations on the functional planning study for the BRT line, with a final in-person engagement session scheduled for Thursday, August 28 at the Village Square Leisure Centre.
City councillor Gian-Carlo Carra, who represents a section of east Calgary, has emphasized the importance of the future 52nd Street BRT line as a crucial piece of transit infrastructure. He highlighted that the BRT line would better connect residents from the northeast to the southeast, as well as provide improved transit connections to recreational facilities and employment opportunities in the area.
The proposed BRT line along 52nd Street E. would also intersect with other routes in Calgary’s Primary Transit Network, such as the Max Purple BRT line. Carra emphasized that giving the No. 23 route the “Max treatment” by increasing frequency and installing better bus infrastructure would enhance the transit experience for passengers in east Calgary.
Overall, the future 52nd Street BRT line is seen as a significant step towards improving transit connectivity in Calgary and providing residents with a more efficient and convenient public transportation option.
