Even though Chestermere shares a border with the City of Calgary, residents can have a hard time getting into Calgary if they don’t have a vehicle or money for a taxi. But that is all about to change.
“Last week, we were very pleased to hear an update about how our staff are working closely with the City of Calgary to finalize an agreement to extend the Max Purple line into Chestermere,” says Mayor Marshall Chalmers. “There are still details to be worked out, but adding transit as a service to our community is on the horizon for this fall.”
In February 2019, Administration was given the mandate to explore the feasibility of a functional, reliable, and cost-effective transit connection between Chestermere and Calgary. In the second half of 2020, staff provided Council with an opinion that the best option, from a technical perspective, is a peak period extension of the Max Purple Route.
“Council recognized there is an opportunity to better the lives of existing and future residents, lesson our impact on the environment, reduce traffic congestion, save money for residents’ household budgets, provide a safe form of transportation and overall to increase the mobility of all residents in this growing community,” says Jeff Gibeau, the Co-Director of the City’s Community Growth & Infrastructure Team.
On March 16, 2021, Chestermere Administration presented an update to City Council at their regular meeting outlining that the agreement is in development and included the draft of a potential route, a timeline, budget and 2nd reading of a transit bylaw. Staff anticipate bringing forward the final details to Council in the second quarter of 2021.
“We know that many residents are looking forward to having a transit option and we are pleased to be delivering on campaign promises we made in 2017,” says Mayor Chalmers. “We will keep the community up to date on the progress of this important project and look forward to launching this new service this fall.”
For details and project updates, visit www.chestermere.ca/transit.
