Roam (public transit)


Roam is the public transit system for the towns of Banff and Canmore in the Bow Valley of Alberta's Rockies. As of 2019, there are ten routes: five that operate year-round and five that operate seasonally.
The system is managed by the Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission.

History

Roam was formerly known as Banff Public Transit and the town has had some form of public transportation since 1994, contracted to a variety of private operators.
The system was rebranded 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 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 authorized 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 six routes, four that operate year-round and two that operates seasonally. Service is provided using hybrid Nova buses, each decorated with scenes from the National Park, featuring either a grizzly bear, elk, mountain goat or wolf.
RouteDistricts/Areas ServedFrequencyNotes
1 Sulphur MountainSulphur Mountain, Downtown Banff40 minutes
2 Tunnel MountainBanff Springs, Downtown Banff, Tunnel Mountain40 minutes
3 Banff-Canmore RegionalDowntown Banff, Downtown Canmore60 minutesRegional fare required
4 Cave & BasinCave and Basin, Sulphur Mountain, Downtown Banff60 minutesOperates Friday-Sunday, mid-May to September 30
5 CanmoreDowntown Canmore, Three Sisters, Cougar CreekWeekdays: 33-60 minutes
Saturday: 37 minutes
Sunday: 75 minutes
6 Lake MinnewankaDowntown Banff, Lake Minnewanka, Banff Train Station60 minutesCurrently operating fare-free
Operates mid-May to mid-September