Earlier this month, Calgary’s infrastructure and planning committee recommended ending the downtown Free Fare Zone — a section of the CTrain line where riders can travel without buying a ticket. That proposal goes to council for a vote on May 26.

Council should vote to end the service, because it effectively relies on a subsidy from paying transit users and taxpayers while encouraging the wasteful use of transit resources.

It’s important to recognize that the zone is not actually free. Trips taken within the zone still increase ridership, which requires Calgary Transit to run more trains, hire more staff and do more station upkeep. When riders pay nothing for these trips, those costs don’t disappear — they merely shift to others.

Your weekday lunchtime roundup of curated links, news highlights, analysis and features.

There was an error, please provide a valid email address.

By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.

A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.

The next issue of Noon News Roundup will soon be in your inbox.

We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again

Interested in more newsletters? Browse here.

According to the city, charging fares for rides within the zone would generate about $5 million annually. That foregone revenue matters, but it’s likely not a full measure of the true cost of providing rides in the Free Fare Zone. Across the whole transit system, fares........

© Calgary Herald