Calgary's 30-year transit plan to cost $13B

The City of Calgary released the RouteAhead report on Friday, which lays out the blueprint for Calgary Transit's future.

The report covers short-term improvements, such as bringing Wi-Fi service to C-Train stations and providing real time information on the internet for all buses.

It also includes long-term plans for dedicated busways, more bus rapid transit routes and a new LRT line from the far north end of Calgary to the new hospital located near the community of Cranston in the city's deep south.

The plan comes with a $13 billion price tag over the next three decades.

Mayor Naheed Nenshi said Friday this report can help Calgary find some of that money.

"Now I'll have the opportunity to say to other orders of government, other funding sources, look this is going to cost $13 billion over 30 years but we have to start today and we have to determine how we're going to start today and continue to build up and improve the system year on year to get that great system at the end of it."

Nenshi said the report recognizes that public transit has to do a better job of helping people move to major centres around the city and not just to and from downtown.

The 230-page RouteAhead report will be discussed by a council committee next week before heading to city council for final approval.