The recently announced On-It regional summer transportation from Cochrane to Banff start this Saturday.
“With Canadians taking advantage of free admission to national parks this year to celebrate Canada 150, Parks Canada has been working with partners to make sure visitors have the best possible experiences while being environmentally friendly,” Dave McDonough, Parks Canada Field Unit Superintendent for Banff said in a press release.
The bus stop in Cochrane will be at First Ave and Centre Avenue with options to get on in Benchlands Trail in Canmore or at the Banff train station in Banff.
The new route was announced in honour of Canada’s 150th birthday as a way for On-It to celebrate with the weekend service to the Canadian Rockies.
The commute service started last October as a way to connect communities to Calgary. The two-year pilot project runs in Okotoks, Turner Valley, Black Diamond and High River. The route to Banff is the second pilot launched by the Calgary Regional Partnership (CRP) and is the second phase of CPR’s vision for a comprehensive regional transit system.
Ticket sales started June 9 and the first ride kicks off this weekend on June 17.
The route runs on weekends and holidays from June 17 to Sept. 4.
Pickup times in Cochrane are 7:37 a.m. and 9:07 a.m. with the bus leaving Banff at 7 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m.
Rides cost $10 for a one-way ticket and children from ages two to five ride for free but must register for a free ticket to reserve a seat on the bus. Infants under the age of two can ride on the lap of a passenger 15 years or older with no registration required.
For more information go to onitregionaltransit.ca.
