Interesting, isn’t it, how public transit continues to be the answer to traffic and parking problems in our valley?
And with free Parks passes for all this year, a move that has caused consternation in this valley as to just how many visitors may take advantage of said passes, and where and how possibly thousands (tens of thousands?) more visitors will be dealt with, the federal agency is also turning to transit.
We’ve praised Roam transit initiatives many times in recent times and we will again. Being that Parks has anted up $870,000 over two years to expand Roam with a Minnewanka route, we’ll also offer it a kudo for recognizing that free passes will result in more people who will want to get around in Banff.
Busing them, as is the case more often than ever in our valley, seems to be the answer.
At peak visitor times, the popular Minnewanka lake/boat launch area can become nearly impassable, has limited on-site parking and, with twisting roads in and out, can present the picture of congestion as cars, cyclists and RVs all vie for space on the narrow road in and out.
We’ll go back to the beginning in mentioning that Banff, the town, not Banff the national park, was way out in front of its parking and traffic issues by initiating in-town transit years ago. That initial service has blossomed with regional Roam and no doubt played a large role in Canmore launching an in-town system of its own.
Not only do transit routes within and between our communities improve and ease traffic and parking problems, they also benefit affordable housing initiatives as transit makes it easier to get to and from work – in either town. They also offer affordable service to tourists and other visitors who want to experience the Bow Valley with less dependence on the automobile to get around.
Looking ahead, it’s not hard to picture transit to Exshaw and Lake Louise as logical extensions that will continue to make our valley more livable and accessible for all.
Bad start for Oly committee
Talk about getting off to a rocky start, Olympics bid-wise.
Just a very short time ago, it was announced that a committee in Calgary would look at the possibility of bidding on the 2026 Winter Olympics.
It’s an interesting idea and, being that Canmore hosted events at the Nordic Centre in 1988, we feel the likelihood is there that Olympians and Games events could return to the mountain town venue.
But, being that Olympics generally cost billions, we wonder if the taxpayers’ appetite is there to host again. Calgary may certainly be ahead of the curve, bid-wise, in that the speed skating oval, Saddledome, bobsled track, etc. are still in place and operating, so some savings could be had infrastructure-wise.
And it’s those taxpayer dollars where the bid process has already hit a snag. The 11-person committee hired and charged with working through the Olympics bid process, you see, despite the fact it’s being paid with tax dollars, wants to remain anonymous.
Uh oh.
Being that public and taxpayer support is a necessary ingredient for Olympics bids, the fact the committee wants to remain anonymous as to its makeup and who is responsible for what, should set off alarm bells.
