A cheaper fare has been introduced for students and youth riding the regional Roam bus between Banff and Canmore in a bid to boost the number of riders.
For the first time, the Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission has introduced a student-youth fare, effective Monday (Aug. 31). The student-youth rate is $55 instead of the $80 monthly adult fare, and the 10-pass rate is $35 instead of $50. Daily fares remain unchanged.
Martin Bean, BVRTSC chief administrative officer, said there have been many requests from parents for a student-youth rate to make riding the bus less expensive for children going to school, swimming lessons, movies, concerts and other activities.
“We’ve had a lot of requests, many times since the regional service started, for a youth rate. They’ve always been charged the adult rate,” said Bean.
“Currently, parents find the $80 pass prohibitive. This youth rate is targeted primarily at locals and we hope this will encourage more use.”
The regional Roam service between Canmore and Banff has seen growth year over year, with the current ridership to the end of August at 67,082.
“As we don’t track youth separately, we don’t have numbers of how many youth are currently using the service,” Bean said. “However, we strongly believe that the lower fare will make it more feasible for many.”
The BVRTSC’s plan for the next five years is to enhance existing transit services and introduce new ones.
The five-year business plan currently calls for the introduction of regular transit service connecting Canmore and Banff and Lake Louise, enhancements to the local transit service in Banff and introduction of regular local transit service in Canmore.
In addition, the plan identifies a seasonal transit service to some popular camping, hiking and points of interest destinations in the Bow Valley between Banff and Lake Louise, and to the Lake Minnewanka area and the Moraine Lake areas.
