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Banff Urges People To Use Transit Options

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By NPT Staff - May 23rd, 2022
A Roam Public Transit bus is shown passing Two Jack Lake and Mount Rundle in Banff National Park.

A Roam Public Transit bus is shown passing Two Jack Lake and Mount Rundle in Banff National Park/Provided Image

Calgarians are being encouraged to help offset the impact of personal vehicle use on wildlife and the environment by taking transit to Banff National Park.

People can take On-It Regional Transit for $10 ($7.80 USD) one-way to get from Calgary to Banff, Fridays through Sundays and statutory holidays, or other services on weekdays. From the Town of Banff, visitors can ride Roam Public Transit, for as little as $2 ($1.55 USD), to all attractions in and around town, including Banff Upper Hot Springs, Sulphur Mountain Gondola and Lake Minnewanka. They can Roam to Lake Louise and then transfer to Parks Canada shuttles, which offer reserved seats to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake and are the only guaranteed way to see these landmarks.

Between May and October 2021, more than 2.6 million vehicles entered the town of Banff in Alberta. The Lake Louise Lakeshore parking lot, which holds 450 vehicles, was filled to capacity every day, usually by 6 a.m. On busy days, 2,000 to 3,000 vehicles were turned away.

“We're thrilled so many regional neighbours came to Banff for a safe place to visit, explore, and relax last summer,” Banff Mayor Corrie DiManno said in a news release. “However, we saw too many private vehicles on our road network, and with a vision of becoming world leaders in sustainability, we need visitors to move away from everyone using their own vehicle when travelling in the town and the national park.”

By taking transit, DiManno said, “visitors have a positive and direct impact on this special landscape as transit helps to protect wildlife, cut greenhouse gas emissions, and reduce traffic congestion” while being able to spend more time exploring and less time looking for parking.

Parks Canada's Lake Connector Shuttle travels within Banff National Park.

Parks Canada's Lake Connector Shuttle travels within Banff National Park/Parks Canada

Banff and Lake Louise partners have launched a digital campaign to help reinforce the benefits of car-free travel to, from and within the park, while also enhancing transit options for 2022.

“Taking transit to, from and within Banff National Park is the best way to see this awe-inspiring place. It relieves traffic congestion and is better for our environment,” Leslie Bruce, President & CEO of Banff & Lake Louise Tourism, said in the news release. “There is more than enough space in the park for everyone to enjoy, but with limited parking areas and finite roadways, there’s not enough space for everyone’s vehicles.”

There are additional routes, more frequency and new fare integration programs.

Roam’s new super pass is an all-in-one ticket allowing riders to access Banff, Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. Visitors who want to have access to a vehicle but still enjoy the ease of transit can park for free at the Train Station Public Parking lot, walk eight minutes to the Roam Transit Hub on Banff Avenue and hop on one of many bus routes.

A Roam Public Transit bus is shown on Banff Avenue in front of Cascade Mountain.

A Roam Public Transit bus is shown on Banff Avenue in front of Cascade Mountain/Roam Transit, Nick Fitzhardinge Photography

Other transit options include:

● Park all day for free at the Banff Train Station Public Parking lot, and use the Roam day pass to visit all attractions in and around the town for $5 ($3.90 USD).
● Reserve a Roam bus seat to travel from the Town of Banff to Lake Louise.
● Ride the Roam buses from campgrounds into the Town of Banff for free.
● Pre-book a Parks Canada shuttle to Lake Louise and Moraine Lake and park, hassle-free, at the Lake Louise Ski Resort Park and Ride lot.
● Leave vehicles in Calgary and access Banff National Park via On-It Regional Transit motorcoaches, accessible from the Bridlewood-Somerset LRT, Crowfoot Park-n-Ride LRT and downtown Calgary on 9th Avenue SE.

Apart from the Lake Connector Shuttle, all Parks Canada shuttles now require advanced reservations. There are no first-come, first-served shuttle seats and no on-site sales. 

Most COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted in Alberta and British Columbia, but masks are mandatory on all transit and shuttle services, including Roam.

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