On-It Bus Service to Canmore and Banff Discontinued for Summer Season
On-It Regional Transit has announced that it will no longer provide bus services to the popular destinations of Canmore and Banff during the busy summer season. This decision leaves a significant gap in regional transit options, and it remains uncertain when or if a replacement service will be established.
Termination of Services and Lack of Replacement
On March 4, On-It notified riders via its website that services to Banff and Canmore would be terminated. The update from the support team stated, "We regret to inform you that On-It is no longer providing services to Banff and Canmore only. These services are provided on behalf of the Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission, who are in the process of establishing a new provider. Please continue to check online for updates on service options." Despite this announcement, no new provider has been secured, meaning the service will not operate this summer.
Failed Request for Proposal Process
Martin Bean, CEO of the Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission, explained that a request for proposal (RFP) was issued earlier this year after the previous agreement with On-It expired. "Unfortunately, we did not get any bidders on the RFP, so therefore the service will not be operating this year," Bean said. He added that the commission is not currently seeking a new provider and will review opportunities in the future. "It won't be operating this summer and then we'll review it to consider opportunities in the future again," he noted.
Historical Context and Funding
The On-It service, which had been in operation annually since 2017, was funded by Parks Canada, the Town of Banff, and the Town of Canmore. It operated on weekends between Calgary, Canmore, and Banff, aiming to enhance accessibility to Banff National Park while reducing vehicle traffic in the area. Bean highlighted the success of other transit options, stating, "For Roam Transit, which we operate, our ridership last year hit record numbers. We carried over three million rides in the Banff, Canmore, and Lake Louise area." This underscores the importance of transit in managing tourism and environmental impacts.
Impact on Traffic and Alternative Options
With the discontinuation of On-It services, visitors and residents are encouraged to explore alternative transit providers. Bean suggested that private operators have increased in recent years, with many services available from Calgary International Airport and various city locations. He recommended checking websites like carfreebanff.ca for updated lists of providers. Bean expressed optimism about maintaining low traffic levels, saying, "We're looking forward to another busy summer and keeping as many cars off the roads as possible and getting people in transit. As I said, we carried over three million rides last year so if you use the 2.3 people per car number, it's significant."
The loss of this service may pose challenges for summer travel, but ongoing efforts by regional authorities aim to mitigate impacts through existing transit networks and future planning.
