Dashcam Videos Show Calgary Transit Buses Running Red Lights, Stop Signs — Transit Service Investigating

Dashcam Videos Show Calgary Transit Buses Running Red Lights, Stop Signs — Transit Service Investigating

Two viral dashcam videos captured less than two weeks apart have raised public safety concerns in Calgary after city transit buses were recorded failing to stop at red lights and stop signs. Calgary Transit has confirmed it is reviewing both incidents and will follow up with the drivers involved.

Tags: Calgary Transit, public safety, bus safety, dashcam video, traffic violations, Calgary police, transit union, road safety, Alberta transit, ATU Local 583

Viral Videos Spark Concern

Calgary – June 5, 2026 — Shelby Butler was driving to work on the morning of May 15 when her dashcam captured a Calgary Transit bus barrelling through a red light at the intersection of 11 Street and 18 Avenue SE, nearly clipping the front of her vehicle. Butler told Global News she saw the light turn red as the bus approached and began to edge forward to gauge whether the driver would stop. "The driver didn't even try," she said.

Butler posted the footage to Facebook, expecting a conversation about driver accountability. Instead, she said she was surprised by the number of people defending the transit operator. "I was really just interested in seeing how the public would react and a shocking amount of them were defending the driver," she said.

Less than two weeks later, a second video surfaced. Taken by Norman Tang, it shows another city bus cruising through a three-way stop at Coventry Drive and Coventry Hills Way without appearing to slow down. Together, the two clips have generated significant public discussion about transit safety standards in Canada's fourth-largest city.

Calgary Transit Response

Calgary Transit issued a statement to Global News confirming it is investigating both incidents. "Concerns like these are taken seriously and investigated," the transit service said. "If there are instances of unsafe or dangerous actions, we will follow up with the individual employees and take appropriate action."

The transit service did not specify what disciplinary measures might be considered, but noted each bus is equipped with onboard cameras that will aid the investigation. The review process typically takes only a few days to reach a conclusion, according to the union representing the drivers.

Union Perspective on Operator Safety

Mike Mahar, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 583, said watching the two videos left him feeling concerned, but noted that human error is an unfortunate reality across a large transit operation. "We understand you've got four or five hundred transit operators out at any given time and unfortunately, they make human errors as well as everyone else," Mahar said. "So they don't happen all day long, but when they do, of course they're a concern."

Mahar said the union will represent each driver during Calgary Transit's investigation but emphasised that each incident is unique. He pointed out that sometimes a driver may run a red light by a fraction of a second because it is safer to coast through a clear intersection than to brake hard and risk passengers falling or injuring themselves. Situations like these arise a "couple times a month," according to the union.

The union maintains that both Calgary Transit and the ATU hold operators to a high standard, but acknowledged the mixed public reaction visible in the online posts.

Police Clarify Investigation Limitations

The Calgary Police Service (CPS) said in a statement that it has not received any official reports on either incident and cannot begin investigations based solely on videos shared on social media or by third parties. "We can only investigate incidents after receiving official reports," the CPS stated. "As always, the CPS encourages and expects any driver within the city to obey all signage and traffic lights."

The police response highlights a gap in current enforcement mechanisms: while dashcam footage can document dangerous driving, it does not automatically trigger an investigation unless a formal complaint is filed with law enforcement. Transit authorities, however, can pursue internal disciplinary action independent of police involvement.

Broader Safety Context in Canadian Cities

Butler expressed concern that Calgary's roads have already experienced an "unprecedented amount of danger" this year. She worries that a collision involving a transit bus could have devastating consequences for vulnerable road users. "It could have been a parent with a stroller, or kids, an elderly person," she said. "They would not have gotten out of the way in time."

The incidents come amid a broader national conversation about transit safety in Canadian cities. With municipalities across the country investing in transit expansion and trying to attract riders back post-pandemic, public confidence in transit safety is a key factor. Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal have all grappled with similar concerns about transit vehicle incidents in recent years, though systematic data on bus-related traffic violations is not consistently tracked across jurisdictions.

Transit safety oversight in Canada is primarily a municipal responsibility, with each city's transit commission or service establishing its own policies for driver training, monitoring, and discipline. There is no federal or provincial agency that audits transit driving practices, meaning accountability varies from city to city.

What Happens Next

Calgary Transit's internal investigations into both incidents are expected to conclude within days, with possible outcomes ranging from additional training to disciplinary action up to and including termination, depending on the findings. The union has confirmed it will represent both drivers through the process.

For residents like Butler, the outcome will determine whether she feels safe sharing the road with city buses. "It definitely would have done some damage to me, but honestly, there's passengers in there — my biggest concern was pedestrians, really," she said.

The broader question for Calgary — and for Canadian cities more generally — is whether existing transit oversight frameworks are adequate as urban populations grow and roads become more congested. As municipalities continue to expand transit fleets, ensuring consistent driver accountability may require stronger provincial oversight or national standards for transit operator training and monitoring.

By Alex Thompson, Staff Writer