Banff to Canmore bus route planned

A new bus service will travel between Banff and Canmore, shuttling commuters and tourists between the two Rocky Mountain towns.

Plans for the Bow Valley Regional Transit Commission were launched onThursday.

Premier Ed Stelmach, who was in Banff for the event, said thetwo communities willeach get$450,000 from the province's $2-billion Green Trip program to help pay for the system.

Banff already has its own local bus system. The regional service with as many as six eco-friendlybuses won't be running until about this time next year.

A lot of people want a bus system for commuting to work, but also for leisure, said Banff mayor Karen Sorensen.

Canmore residents Tom Simpson and Sally McHardy drive four days a week to Banff for work.

"We have one car so it would be handy for me to not always have it everyday," said McHardy.

"Especially during winter when the roads are bad, [for] peace of mind," added Simpson.

The transit system will cost about $700,000 a year, split between the towns of Banff and Canmore, as well as Banff National Park.

Sorensen says its too early to say how often buses will travel and what the fare will be.

The partners involved in the project hope to eventually expand the operation to include tourist destinations like Lake Louise and Lake Minnewanka.