Residents and tourists will be able to ride a bus from downtown Banff to the front door of the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, thanks to a new bus route beginning this month.
The new Roam route, run by the Bow Valley Regional Transit Service Commission, will operate Friday, Saturday and Sunday from mid-May to Sept. 30.
“Parks Canada was interested in providing some transit service to the Cave and Basin location, so they approached us and wanted to see if there was any possibility of doing that,” said Koji Miyaja, the BVRTSC’s general manager.
“Through various discussions we’ve been able to put together a seasonal service. It’s a pilot for this season, and then it will be reviewed by the Town of Banff, Parks Canada and by us at the end of the summer.”
The new bus route will start in time for the reopening of the Cave and Basin National Historic Site, which has seen a $13.8 million facelift and redevelopment.
Once the Cave and Basin opens later this month, buses will depart every 40 minutes from the 200 block of Banff Avenue and head directly to the Cave and Basin.
From there, the bus will travel to Sulphur Mountain and back to Cave and Basin, before returning downtown and connections to Roam’s other routes, including Tunnel Mountain and the Banff-Canmore commuter.
Fares for the Banff service have remained the same: $2 for adults per ride, or an unlimited day pass for $5. Both can be purchased right on the bus or at multiple outlets in Banff.
The new route will be convenient for visitors at the Tunnel Mountain campground, who can leave their recreation vehicles at their campsite and hop on Roam for a full day of sightseeing at Banff’s top destinations.
Many Banff hotels also offer bus passes to their guests.
Dave McDonough, superintendent of Banff National Park, said Parks Canada welcomes the Roam bus route to the Cave and Basin National Historic Site.
“The bus provides another convenient way for people to come and enjoy the site, reduces traffic on Cave Avenue, and links the Cave and Basin with other attractions within the Town of Banff,” he said.
The revamped Cave and Basin will feature all new interactive programs, exhibits and a giant four screen HD visual experience leading visitors on a journey through Canada’s national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas.
The highlight for many will be a visit to the fully accessible underground cave, a special place where bubbling thermal waters connect people to the essence of Banff National Park.
Banff Councillor Leslie Taylor, who is also chair of the BVRTSC, said she’s delighted the bus service has been extended for 2013.
“Having a larger Roam bus fleet, thanks to the Green Trip grant money from the Province of Alberta, made it possible for us to respond to this opportunity with Parks Canada, working with the Town of Banff,” she said.
“We hope this will be the first of several joint routes with Parks in the future.”
Miyaja said the BVRTSC continues to work with Parks Canada on a public bus service to Lake Louise, and in and around Lake Louise as well as Moraine Lake.
“The commission did some work on reviewing and logistically identifying the possibility of various route options that would go to Lake Louise and operate in Lake Louise as well,” said Miyaja.
“We’re still in discussion with Parks Canada on that, and they are reviewing the information and I am sure they’ll get back to us in the very near future.”
Meanwhile, Miyaja said the Banff-Canmore route continues to see about 900 to 1,000 passengers a week.
“Generally speaking there’s a larger number of residents from Canmore and Banff using it, with tourists sprinkled in there,” he said. “But we think, come summer months, a higher number of visitors will take advantage of the service.”
Roam’s summer schedule, including the stops and times for the new route, will be available later this month. Visit Roam online at roamtransit.com
