Transit service is getting back on track for Calgary commuters stranded in the suburbs. As early as September, more buses will be added to Applewood's route 45, Sundance/ Chaparral's 78, Valley Ridge's 408, and Douglas Glen's 409. That also includes earlier trips on the Crowfoot LRT route 201 in the northwest.

Thanks to increased ridership this year, Calgary Transit is projecting a year-end surplus of $3 million, the city's transportation and transit committee heard Wednesday.

That will help cover the $300,000 cost reinstating scaled-back transit service to the suburbs.

Ald. Gord Lowe's idea to fund the cost by reinstating the $3 park-and-ride fee at LRT stations fell flat with his colleagues.

Instead, council will be asked to approve the creation of a transit surplus to cover future costs.

"In my view, we took $4 million away from transit and told transit not to stop doing what they were doing, and if they had to cut service to find the $4 million, cut service," said Lowe. "You can't get new transit service in new communities, and that's part of the problem."

"Everything was right about it."

Others voted against the idea.

"I think it's counterintuitive," said Ald. Andre Chabot. "We're trying to increase ridership, not discourage ridership."

Administrators say it will cost $756,000 annually to restore services. The $300,000 will cover September to December. Lowe suggested administration establish a reserve from surpluses. Council will be urged to approve the creation of a transit surplus over the next two years to fund increased service. After that, the RouteAhead project - the city's future transit plan - will take over.

"We've directed administration to look at revenue stream from 2012 and if in fact we have a broad city surplus, to look at using some of that money to fund a transit surplus again in 2013 and 2014," Lowe said.

Future transit revenue could be raised by charging commuters based on how far they ride, said Chabot.

"There should be a higher fee based on how far they're travelling. Once we go to smart card, the ultimate solution will be destination-based. You pay for the distance you travel, not zone-based because zone-based could be negative for people only travelling short distances," Chabot said.

As luck would have it, transit stands to gain a windfall thanks to the upcoming Calgary Stampede centennial, Chabot said.

"All the hotels are fully booked, there's going to be an increased ridership during Stampede, and increase the amount of revenue."

Although the park-and-ride fee gave transit an extra $4 million in revenue, constantly changing parking fees fatigues users, said Doug Morgan, director of Calgary Transit.

szickefoose@calgaryherald.com