Free Calgary Transit rides approved for veterans and family on Remembrance Day

For the first time, Calgary Transitwill let military veterans and accompanying family members ride for free on Remembrance Day.

Council unanimously approved the measure at its Monday meeting, after a lateitem was introduced by Coun. Sean Chu, just in time to make the change for transit service on Wednesday, Nov. 11.

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"This is not my idea," Chu noted. "Someone smarter than me on Twitter asked me: 'Hey, maybe we should do this.' And I thought, 'Oh, that's a great idea.'"

The move is not expected to cost much in terms of lost revenue, according to Mayor Naheed Nenshi, who spoke with Calgary Transit operators about the anticipated impact.

"They were not fussed about it any way," Nenshi said.

Chu noted the City of Halifax has been offering free rides to veterans on Remembrance Day and said Calgary should do the same as"a token of our appreciation."

How will it work?

In Halifax, the fare-free Remembrance Day extends to both veterans and currentmilitary personnelwho show upin uniform or who present a militaryID when boarding transit, along with any accompanying family members.

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Nenshi suggested a similar approach should work in Calgary, based largely on the honour system.

"I think we'll just trust them," the mayor said. "If they're in uniform and they're wearing a poppy, I think the (transit)operator can just make that call."

Free parking too

Calgary already offers free parking in most city-run parkades and surface lotsfor vehicles with veterans plates on Remembrance Day.

Veterans without vehicle plates can also make a parking payment and thenrequest a refundafterward.

In addition,veterans are also eligible for up to $120 worthof cityparking annually throughout the year, as part of a program initiated in 2012.