Calgary councillor exploring turnstiles at CTrain stations

Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean wants to explore how much it would cost to implement turnstiles at CTrain stations to help curb social disorder issues.

As city and transit officials work to find solutions to curb social disorder on Calgary’s LRT line, one city councillor wants to explore a change to how Calgarians pay to ride on city transit.

Ward 13 Coun. Dan McLean wants to look at how much it would cost to implement turnstiles at CTrain stations outside the downtown free fare zone, similar to Vancouver’s SkyTrain.

“It would be able to just not allow people free access on and off, on and off,” McLean told Global News. “That’s what I think would decrease some of the behaviors that we’re seeing on the transit system right now.”

A turnstile system, also known as a closed system, restricts access to the transit network until riders pay for their fare.

Calgary currently operates with a proof-of-payment system, where access to the platform isn’t contingent on paying a fare. Instead, riders must be able to provide proof they paid when asked by officials.

It comes after Calgary Transit was forced to close indoor access to four stations earlier this year due to gatherings and  “social disorder.”

McLean plans to ask city administration about costs and implementation of a turnstile system at Tuesday’s city council meeting.

“This is something completely new and I think it will be well worth the effort and the money to pilot this program,” McLean said. “Just give some people some security that they can ride the train and be much safer.”