Conventional Transit

 

Roam Public Transit is one of Banff’s top success stories. Surveys show Roam has an excellent reputation with both visitors and residents, with buses running on time over 95% of the time and adding to the visitor experience.

Roam currently moves 600,000 people a year on the local service, and through fares, passes and partner contributions, recovers 72% of its operating costs. However, the proportion of total vehicle trips made on Roam is low. Passengers on Roam Public Transit account for only 3% of the total people crossing the Bow River bridge in a vehicle. 

When looking at expanding conventional transit, we're looking at increasing Roam's service. Doubling transit ridership over the bridge will go a long way to helping solve congestion, and give residents and visitors an alternative to using a personal vehicle to get around.

 
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ROAM PUBLIC TRANSIT

A further investment in Roam Public Transit would mean:

  • Increasing frequency with a minimum of 15 minutes between buses
  • Purchasing additional buses
  • Fares could remain the same, or free transit could be provided
  • Increased marketing to promote the service
  • Incentives/disincentives may be required to increase use of service
 

Advantages:

  • Scalable, flexible solution

Disadvantages:

  • Operating subsidy required to keep fares low/no cost
  • Perceived reduction in visitor experience

     

        Cost:

        • Capital costs of $8 million est. to $21 million by 2045
        •  Operating subsidy, $400,000 to $1.4 million annually

        Concept Summary:

        Conventional transit is scalable and flexible. It can resolve congestion for the long term. Doubling transit ridership over the bridge will go a long way to helping solve congestion. Incentives and/or disincentives may be needed to increase the use of conventional transit.

         
         

        What you said:

        The majority of survey respondents believed the future of transportation should involve mass transit.

        Next steps:

        Survey results showed this to be the most popular option, and council has dedicated additional funds for increased route frequency in town. Roam Public Transit includes summer routes to the Cave and Basin National Historic Site and around the Minnewanka Loop. Roam also received federal funding to expand service to Lake Louise in 2019. On-It Regional Transit also operates a summer, weekend service between Banff and Calgary.

        Survey Results: Conventional Transit