Roam (public transit)


Roam is the public transit system for the towns of Canmore, Banff, and serves Lake Louise and the Bow Valley of Alberta's Rockies in Canada. The system is managed by the Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission. In, the system had a ridership of, or about per weekday as of.

History

Roam was formerly known as Banff Public Transit and the town has had some form of public transportation since 1994, with services contracted to a variety of private operators.
The system was re-branded as Roam in June 2008. At the same time a new fleet of four hybrid buses was acquired and operation of the service was turned over to a new private contractor, Brewster Inc., a local tour bus company.
On April 21, 2011, the Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission was formed by the Town of Banff, the Town of Canmore and Improvement District No. 9. This new government agency was authorised to provide or coordinate local and regional transit services in the Bow Valley. Although not a voting member, Parks Canada actively participates in commission meetings.
In the fall of 2012, the BVRTSC took over responsibility for the transit service. On December 3, 2012, regional transit service between Banff and Canmore began.

Service

There are currently fourteen routes, seven that operate year-round and five that operate seasonally. Service is provided using hybrid Nova buses, each decorated with scenes from the National Park, featuring either a grizzly bear, elk, mountain goat, moose, buffalo, fish, fox, lynx, wolf, etc.
RouteDistricts/Areas ServedFrequencyNotes
1 Sulphur MountainBanff Sulphur Mountain District, Banff Downtown District, Banff Uptown District40 minutes
2 Tunnel MountainBanff Springs District, Banff Downtown District, Banff Uptown District, Banff Tunnel Mountain District40 minutes
3 Banff-Canmore RegionalBanff Downtown District, Banff Uptown District, Bow Valley Trail, Downtown Canmore60 minutesRegional fare required
4 Cave & BasinCave and Basin, Bow Falls, Banff Downtown District, Banff Uptown District60 minutesOperates Friday-Sunday, mid-May to September 30
5T Three SistersDowntown Canmore, Carey/Homesteads, Three SistersWeekdays: 33–60 minutes
Saturday: 37 minutes
Sunday: 75 minutes
Currently operating fare-free
5C Cougar CreekDowntown Canmore, Cougar Creek, Bow Valley TrailWeekdays: 33–60 minutes
Saturday: 37 minutes
Sunday: 75 minutes
Currently operating fare-free
6 Lake MinnewankaBanff Downtown District, Banff Uptown District, Lake Minnewanka, Banff Train Station60 minutesOperates mid-May to mid-September
7 The Banff CantreBanff Centre District, Surprise Corner, Banff Downtown District, Banff Uptown District30 minutesCurrently not operating due to Temporary Banff Centre closures
8S Lake Louise Banff SenicJohnston Canyon, Bow Valley Parkway, Lake Louise Village Centre, Lake Louise Lakeside, Banff Downtown District4 hours 30 minutesTemporary Suspended for the until further notice
Regional fare required
Operates July to August
8X Lake Louise-Banff ExpressLake Louise Village Centre, Lake Louise Lakeside, Banff Downtown District60 MinutesRegional fare required
9 Johnston CanyonJohnston Canyon, Bow Valley Parkway, Banff Downtown District60 MinutesRegional fare required
Currently operating as a Weekend Service
10 Moraine LakeMoraine Lake, Lake Louise Village Centre, Banff Downtown District60 MinutesRegional fare required
Operates September to late-October/early-November
11 Lake Louise LocalLake Louise Ski Resort/Park and Ride, Lake Louise Village Centre, Lake Louise LakesideOperates Seasonally
12 Grassi LakesDowntown Canmore, Spring Creek, Bow Valley Trail, TeePee Town, Hospital Hill, Quarry Lake, Kananaskis Country; The Canmore Nordic Centre, Grassi Lakes60 minutesCurrently operating fare-free.
Currently operating as a Weekend Service
Operates May Long Weekend to September 15