# Roam (public transit)

Roam is the public transit system for the towns of Canmore, Banff (located inside Banff National Park), and Lake Louise (located inside Banff National Park) and in the Bow Valley of Alberta's Rockies in Canada. The system is managed by the Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission (BVRTSC). In 2023, the system had a ridership of 1,556,300, or about 4,500 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2024.

## History

Roam was formerly known as Banff Public Transit and the town has had some form of public transportation since 1994, contracted to a variety of private operators.
The system was re-branded as Roam in June 2008. At the same time a new fleet of four hybrid buses was acquired and operation of the service was turned over a new private contractor, Brewster Inc., a local tour bus company.
On April 21, 2011, the Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission (BVRTSC) was formed by the town of Banff, the town of Canmore and Improvement District No. 9. This new government agency was authorised to provide or coordinate local and regional transit services in the Bow Valley. Although not a voting member, Parks Canada actively participates in commission meetings.
In the fall of 2012 the BVRTSC took over responsibility for the transit service. On December 3, 2012, regional transit service between Banff and Canmore began.

## Service

There are currently fourteen routes, seven that operate year-round and five that operate seasonally (May to September). Service is provided using hybrid Nova buses, each decorated with scenes from the National Park, featuring either a grizzly bear, elk, mountain goat, moose, buffalo, fish, fox, lynx, wolf, etc.
| Route | Districts/Areas Served | Frequency | Notes |
| 1 Sulphur Mountain | Banff Sulphur Mountain District, Banff Downtown District, Banff Uptown District | 40 minutes | — |
| 2 Tunnel Mountain | Banff Springs District, Banff Downtown District, Banff Uptown District, Banff Tunnel Mountain District | 40 minutes | — |
| 3 Banff-Canmore Regional | Banff Downtown District, Banff Uptown District, Bow Valley Trail, Downtown Canmore | 60 minutes | Regional fare required |
| 4 Cave & Basin | Cave and Basin, Bow Falls, Banff Downtown District, Banff Uptown District | 60 minutes | Operates Friday-Sunday, mid-May to September 30 |
| 5T Three Sisters | Downtown Canmore, Carey/Homesteads, Three Sisters | Weekdays: 33–60 minutes Saturday: 37 minutes Sunday: 75 minutes | Currently operating fare-free |
| 5C Cougar Creek | Downtown Canmore, Cougar Creek, Bow Valley Trail | Weekdays: 33–60 minutes Saturday: 37 minutes Sunday: 75 minutes | Currently operating fare-free |
| 6 Lake Minnewanka | Banff Downtown District, Banff Uptown District, Lake Minnewanka, Banff Train Station | 60 minutes | Operates mid-May to mid-September |
| 7 The Banff Cantre | Banff Centre District, Surprise Corner, Banff Downtown District, Banff Uptown District | 30 minutes | Currently not operating due to Temporary Banff Centre closures |
| 8S Lake Louise Banff Senic | Johnston Canyon, Bow Valley Parkway, Lake Louise Village Centre, Lake Louise Lakeside, Banff Downtown District | 4 hours 30 minutes | Temporary Suspended for the 2024 season Regional fare required Operates July to August |
| 8X Lake Louise-Banff Express | Lake Louise Village Centre, Lake Louise Lakeside, Banff Downtown District | 60 Minutes | Regional fare required |
| 9 Johnston Canyon | Johnston Canyon, Bow Valley Parkway, Banff Downtown District | 60 Minutes | Regional fare required Currently operating as a Weekend Service |
| 10 Moraine Lake | Moraine Lake, Lake Louise Village Centre, Banff Downtown District | 60 Minutes | Regional fare required Operates September to late-October/early-November |
| 11 Lake Louise Local | Lake Louise Ski Resort/Park and Ride, Lake Louise Village Centre, Lake Louise Lakeside | | Operates Seasonally |
| 12 Grassi Lakes | Downtown Canmore, Spring Creek, Bow Valley Trail, TeePee Town, Hospital Hill, Quarry Lake, Kananaskis Country; The Canmore Nordic Centre, Grassi Lakes | 60 minutes | Currently operating fare-free. Currently operating as a Weekend Service Operates May Long Weekend to September 15 |