Airdrie's New 10-Year Transit Master Plan — What's Coming and When
- Apr 23
- 4 min read
What is Airdrie's new Transit Master Plan?
Airdrie City Council just endorsed a 10-year Transit Master Plan that will roll out in three phases. The plan includes a new intercity Route 903 connecting to Calgary's North Pointe terminal, local buses running every 30 minutes all day, fare integration with Calgary Transit, and a single app for route planning. Right now Airdrie runs about 0.4 transit hours per capita — this plan aims to close the gap with comparable cities that run three to four times more service.
By Brad Walker | April 23, 2026
Airdrie's transit has been playing catch-up for a long time.
Right now, the city operates about 0.4 transit hours per capita. Comparable cities average between 1.3 and 1.5 — meaning they're running roughly three to four times the service Airdrie currently provides. That gap is exactly what this new plan is designed to close.
City Council just endorsed the Transit Master Plan, which lays out a three-phase roadmap for public transit over the next decade. Here's what each phase actually looks like — and what it means for you.
Phase 1: Building the Foundation
The first phase is all about getting the basics right.
On the intercity side, a brand new Route 903 is coming. It'll connect Airdrie directly to Calgary's North Pointe terminal, giving you access to buses heading to the University of Calgary, SAIT, and the airport — without needing a car for the whole trip.
Locally, the single loop that currently serves the city gets split into four distinct routes, running seven days a week. During peak hours that's every 30 minutes. Off-peak, every 60 minutes.
And here's one that matters if you're crossing the highway: Routes 1 and 5 are being combined so you can get from one side of the highway to the other without transferring buses.
Phase 2: More Frequency, Better Coverage
Phase 2 ramps things up considerably.
Local buses will run every 30 minutes, all day — not just during peak hours. Route 1 also gets adjusted to serve Airdrie's new Southwest Recreation Centre, which opens Phase 1 in 2029. That's useful timing — better transit access to the rec centre without needing to drive.
Two new east-west routes along Yankee Valley are also getting added in this phase, improving how you move across the city's growing south end. If you've been following what's happening with new development in the southwest — like the Vantage Commons commercial area coming to 24 Street — more frequent east-west transit starts to make a real difference for that area.
On the intercity side, Route 903 gets longer operating hours and Route 900 runs more frequently.
Phase 3: The Long Game
Phase 3 is the most future-focused piece of the plan, and it's tied directly to what Calgary is building.
As Calgary's Blue Line LRT extends northward, Route 900 shifts to connect with the newer C-Train stations — keeping the Airdrie-to-Calgary connection strong as the network grows. Locally, routes expand into the northwest and into the East Points employment area on the east side of the city.
What Else Is in the Plan
Beyond the routes themselves, two things stand out.
Fare integration with Calgary Transit is actively being worked on. Right now, transferring between Airdrie and Calgary transit means paying twice. The goal is to change that — one fare, one transfer, no double charge.
A single app for route planning and digital fare validation is also coming. The current Hello to Go service transitions into a bridging tool that serves newer neighbourhoods until they're dense enough for a fixed route.
This is a real quality-of-life improvement if you commute into Calgary regularly or if you're thinking about a household with one fewer car.
Worth Noting: This Is a Plan, Not a Promise
An endorsed plan doesn't mean all of this is guaranteed.
Every route addition still needs individual council approval through the annual budget process. The timeline could shift, phases could be delayed, and priorities could change. What the plan does give you is a framework — a direction the city is committed to moving in.
If you're buying in Airdrie — especially in the southwest or northwest — it's worth knowing that transit infrastructure is on the roadmap for those areas. It's one more factor in how these neighbourhoods develop over the next decade. If you want to understand how that plays into the bigger picture for buyers right now, the Airdrie real estate market update for March 2026 gives you a solid baseline on current conditions.
And if you've been watching what's happening with traffic and infrastructure in the southeast — like the new traffic lights going in at Yankee Valley and Kings Heights Gate — this transit plan fits into a broader pattern of the city catching up with its own growth.
If you've got questions about what's happening in Airdrie — or if you're thinking about buying or selling — I'm always happy to chat. Call or text me anytime.
Brad Walker | REALTOR® | Redline | Real Broker 📲 587-917-3957 💻 brad@redlinerealestate.ca 🌐 bradwalkerrealestate.com
About Brad Walker Brad Walker is a REALTOR® in Airdrie, Alberta, and the #1 top producer at Redline | Real Broker. He has helped over 300 families buy and sell homes in Airdrie, with deep expertise in the local market. Whether you're buying your first home, selling your current property, or relocating to Airdrie, Brad offers the local knowledge and proven results to guide you through every step.
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