BOW VALLEY – The Bow Valley’s local transit system has announced a reduction in service as a further precaution against COVID-19.
Roam Public Transit will reduce its schedule starting Saturday (March 28) as a way to help stop the spread of the new coronavirus during this global pandemic.
“We made the decision to reduce service … we’re still providing the essential service people need, however not encouraging unnecessary travel, our services will now end early in the evening at approximately 7 p.m. with shorter hours on less frequent service,” said Martin Bean, Roam's chief administrative officer.
“I think we’ll still meet the needs of the community for people that need to get around for groceries … essential workers [can get to work], but still working with people to stay home.”
Bean said the decision was made as a way to help stop the spread of the new virus after Banff and Canmore mayors publicly pleaded for visitors to choose a different time to visit the mountains.
“With Canmore, Banff and the whole Bow Valley trying to encourage people to stay home as much as possible, we want to offer only the service that’s absolutely needed and making sure that connectivity is there when necessary," he said.
Mayors Karen Sorensen (Banff) and John Borrowman (Canmore) both asked that Albertans not visit the mountains during this global pandemic after numerous visitors made their way to the Bow Valley last weekend.
“Sorry folks, this is not a time for a road trip … we’ve kind of reached the point where we’re saying thank you for not visiting,” Sorensen said.
The following routes will see a reduction in service as of Saturday (March 28):
Banff Local (Route 1 and Route 2) service will start at 8 a.m. with a 7 p.m. last departure time, seven days a week.
Canmore-Banff Regional (Route 3) service will be every 60 minutes seven days a week, with service starting at its regular time 6 a.m., with the last return departure from Banff to Canmore departing at 8 p.m.
Canmore Local (Route 5) service will be every 60 minutes seven days a week, with service starting at 7 a.m. weekdays and 8 a.m. Saturday and Sundays with the last trip of each day departing at 7 p.m.
Lake Louise Express (Route 8X) service will include three departures from Banff a day, seven days a week. Departure times out of Banff will be 9:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Bean said the reductions will remain in effect until further notice. In addition, transit is still fare free, loading will take place on the back doors and increased cleaning will continue.
“[I hope it] encourages people to use transit if necessary and stay home if they are able too,” he said.
“We’ll continue to update our social media messaging fairly regularly as well as our website.”
Visit roamtransit.com for more on the new schedule.
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