Intercity Express passengers will soon pay more for service

The cost to ride Airdrie’s Intercity Express (ICE) bus is going up.

In a press release issued Feb. 11, the City announced monthly passes will go up $25 for users of the bus service. Adult passes will now be $195 and youth, student, and seniors’ tickets, $150.

“The intent for users of this service is to pay for the cost,” explained Chris MacIssac, transit coordinator for the City of Airdrie who said the increased price will go towards cost recovery of the service.

The City of Airdrie launched the regional ICE service, which provides two-way transit between Airdrie and downtown Calgary during peak weekday mornings and afternoons, in October 2010.

Ridership has steadily increased over the past nearly two-and-a-half years and has now reached capacity on morning inbound trips to Calgary and afternoon outbound trips to Airdrie.

Last fall, council voted to City council voted to purchase a 40-foot, 39-seat bus to allow a fourth regional Intercity Express (ICE) route, due to increased ridership and overcrowding on buses during peak hours.

MacIssac said council approved a request to increase transit revenue as part of Airdrie’s 2013 operating budget.

“Transit has limited (means) to increase revenue,” said MacIssac, explaining the main forms of revenue comes from pass holders and through advertisements.

The new fee structure will take affect March 1.

For more information on Airdrie Transit services, including ICE service, visit airdrietransit.ca