Transit goes everywhere

If you have travelled its highly likely that you have utilized local transit services. The good thing about living in Calgary is our access to an extensive transit system. I have an encouraging attitude towards Calgary’s transit services. I think it could be with exposure starting young, that transit has always met my needs, or maybe it’s the only transit system I’ve ever known. I have a personal timeline with the public service that is Calgary Transit.

I associate my early uses of Calgary Transit with positive memories. I have two main childhood exposures that equate the C-Train to (at the time) being the coolest thing ever.  Presently, I don’t equate C-train use as the most fun a girl can have, but when I was young we would Park and Ride for special occasions and that was enough. The first special occasion was the Calgary Zoo, if my parents were taking me to the zoo we were not driving. We would park and ride, and I will not forget that anticipation waiting for the animal train stop. The second occasion was the Calgary Stampede Parade. If you have ever experienced the parade, you probably are familiar with the unwritten rules: “The earlier the better” and “the roads are shut down…C-train it is”. In my opinion you have never fully experienced the Calgary stampede parade if your parents didn’t peel you out of bed at 7 in the morning to take the C-train downtown.

When I was a teenager I had to utilize transit to become more independent. My parents bought me a bus pass every month my entire junior and senior high school career. In high school everyone I knew had to figure out City Transit, it’s just what we did. I was definitely able to get everywhere I needed (which was mainly to and from school).  When I was a teenager using transit, I figured out how Calgary connected and I was able to discover my own city.

My reflection isn’t to indulge in an over the top nostalgia for Calgary Transit. Currently I own a car, and I do choose to drive most places. However, I believe that using Calgary transit is a sustainable option, and it beats the outrageous MRU parkingrates. Everyday that I am at Mount Royal, I take the bus.  I know that Calgary Transit is a viable commuter choice for many.

When its winter (or October) in Calgary my optimism for transit can sometimes be hard to maintain but overall I have very few complaints for our transit system. My transit needs have always been met, and there are a plethora of options on finding all the information I need. Whether it’s the Municipal relationship(for funding), Transit schedules and routes,"how we rank", or staying engaged on the WestLRT expansion.

Since I am in my first year at MRU, I am anticipating at least three more years for my post secondary career. I have anticipation for the increased access to MRU that the West LRT line will add. Mount Royal is highly involved with the preparation for the West line expansion. There is a prediction that the amount of transit lines (busses) that run to MRU will double. I am highly excited that before my time is up at MRU I will have more evolved options for continuing my transit use.