Calgary Transit has introduced a new group of express routes designed to speed up cross‑city travel, starting with a north‑Calgary route that enters service Monday.
The 503 Symons Valley Express will provide all‑day, two‑way service with limited stops between Sage Hill and downtown Calgary, and is part of a 500‑series network expected to expand over time.
Officials say the route will give north‑central neighbourhoods a direct connection to downtown while complementing existing local buses. The route reflects changes identified in the North Central Transit Service Review and makes use of previous infrastructure investments along Centre Street North.
The city says the performance of Route 503 will help shape future 500‑series routes as Calgary continues to grow.
“The new 500-series gives customers the fast, direct service they value while better connecting them to the rest of our transit network,” says Calgary Transit director Sharon Fleming. “It is a smarter, more flexible approach that helps us serve more people, more efficiently.”
The city is also renaming Route 300 to Route 500 Airport Express.
Calgary Transit says the new model moves away from traditional peak‑period‑only express routes. The 500‑series will run throughout the day in both directions, offer fewer stops, and aim to provide more consistent travel times
More information on trip planning can be found here.