Exploring Accessibility with Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission - Roam Transit
Located in the scenic Canadian Rockies, Roam Transit is the public transportation service operating within Banff and Canmore, Alberta. It plays a vital role in providing access to the stunning landscapes of the Bow Valley while keeping sustainability in mind. With the growing demand for accessible transport options, Roam Transit has made significant strides to ensure that their services are available to everyone, including those who require specific accommodations.
Wheelchair-Accessible Features
One of the key features of Roam Transit is its attention to accessibility. The system includes a wheelchair-accessible entrance on all buses, ensuring that passengers with mobility challenges can board easily and safely. Additionally, there is a wheelchair-accessible car park provided at several transit hubs, making it convenient for individuals who rely on wheelchairs to access the service without hassle.
Feedback from users has highlighted the importance of these features. Many have expressed appreciation for the bus drivers who assist passengers with entering and exiting, demonstrating a commitment to providing respectful and efficient service.
User Experiences of Roam Transit
The feedback regarding the Roam Transit app has been mixed. While some travelers report success using the app to check schedules and plan their routes, others have shared frustrations with its reliability, noting that inconsistencies can complicate travel plans. For instance, a visitor mentioned, "I could have walked and been on time" after a driver missed their stop, even when alerted by the passenger. Such experiences reinforce the need for improved communication and training for staff to minimize misunderstandings and delays.
Many riders have praised the cleanliness and comfort of the buses, especially during harsh winter conditions, where heated interiors provide a warm retreat from the cold. However, concerns about timeliness have been a recurring theme; customers often report late buses, which can be incredibly frustrating, particularly for those relying on transit to reach work or appointments.
Driving Change for Better Service
It's clear that while Roam Transit has made commendable efforts towards accessibility and environmental sustainability, there are areas that require improvement. Passengers have voiced the need for better coordination between buses, clearer information regarding schedules, and more responsive customer service. One user highlighted that they experienced difficulty when trying to pay with cash, as drivers often do not provide change, which can lead to confusion and unpleasant interactions.
Despite these challenges, many local residents and visitors emphasize the value of Roam Transit as a cost-effective way to explore Banff and surrounding areas. Some have even stated that taking the bus saves them time and stress associated with parking and navigating through busy tourist areas. The sentiment remains that the service has immense potential but needs ongoing refinement.
Conclusion: A Work in Progress
In conclusion, Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission's Roam Transit offers an essential service for residents and visitors alike, with wheelchair-accessible features that promote inclusivity. Addressing the feedback from users will help improve the overall experience and reliability of the transit system. Whether you're planning to visit iconic sites like Lake Louise or Johnston Canyon, Roam Transit aims to provide a convenient and sustainable way to explore the breathtaking beauty of the Bow Valley.
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Busses don't quite stick to their schedule, so it's best not to rely on them entirely. In Banff, there's a big push to encourage people to leave behind their cars or RVs and opt for public transportation. However, from my recent experience with Roam Public Transport, I'll definitely think twice before doing that again. The bus we intended to board never arrived, and the next one's driver bluntly informed us that he was on a break, asking us to wait for another 35 minutes. It's puzzling how they don't realize that such incidents actively discourage individuals from using their service in the future.
Abigail James (2025-08-09, 1:09 p.m.):
This bus station is quite perplexing, to say the least. The lack of clarity on the website regarding the need for separate tickets for destinations in Banff versus the Lake Louise bus added to the confusion. The Free Roam tickets provided by the hotel are only valid for bus routes 1 & 2, which is fantastic, but this crucial detail is nowhere to be found on the ticket. As a Canadian resident, I found this all very puzzling. I can't even fathom the difficulties non-English speakers might encounter. Many passengers had to approach the driver with inquiries, highlighting the inherent confusion in your system.
Jack Evans (2025-08-08, 1:06 p.m.):
We decided to take the #10 Route from Banff to Moraine Lake and I must say, it was a fantastic experience. The tickets were only $10 each, which I found to be great value for money. I stumbled upon this company when I couldn't secure a spot on the Parks Canada shuttle to Moraine Lake. One of the perks is the flexibility to book your seat as far in advance as you need, unlike the Parks Canada shuttle. On top of that, if you're starting your journey from Banff or Canmore to Moraine Lake, it's a much shorter drive to the shuttle bus stop in Banff compared to the Parks Canada bus in Lake Louise, all for just an additional $2! And the cherry on top – parking at the Banff Train Station is complimentary.
The service provided by this transportation company was top-notch! The drivers we encountered were incredibly friendly and accommodating. They even allowed us to catch a return bus as long as there were available seats. If you're planning a hike at Moraine Lake, I would definitely recommend this bus service without hesitation!
Jeffrey Fisher (2025-08-05, 1:38 a.m.):
I must say, the experience my partner had with a bus driver in Lake Louise today was truly disappointing. Despite her willingness to pay the $2 fare upfront or even download the app and purchase a $10 pass while en route, the driver showed no understanding or flexibility. Instead, he left her stranded and waiting for over 1.5 hours for the next bus. It's a shame to see such poor treatment of customers, especially those in distress or unfamiliar with the service's schedule. I do hope the company takes steps to improve their customer service and show more empathy towards those relying on their transportation services.
Katherine Walker (2025-08-03, 3:28 p.m.):
I recently utilized the Roam 8X service from Banff to Lake Louise, and I must say it was a seamless journey. The direct trip took approximately 55-60 minutes without any stops, making it a quick and efficient way to travel between the two destinations. The bus made stops at both the Lake Louise village and the Lake itself, allowing for convenient access to key areas.
For those planning a roundtrip, I recommend purchasing your ticket from the bus stop machine at Banff Highschool. The day pass roundtrip cost $20 per person, and it's important to note that cash is not accepted on the bus, so be sure to have your ticket in advance. Overall, I found the Roam 8X service to be a reliable and hassle-free transportation option for visiting Lake Louise.
Patricia Peterson (2025-08-02, 2:18 p.m.):
"I must say, I'm quite impressed with the reliability and efficiency of this transportation service! The buses are consistently punctual, spotless, and clearly well-cared for. I also wanted to give a shoutout to Sunny - he served as our guide and did an exceptional job. He graciously addressed all our inquiries with a smile on his face."
Kathleen King (2025-07-28, 12:36 a.m.):
Roam shows great potential with their fantastic vehicles and friendly staff. However, their transit system's basic elements are in disarray. The website is poorly designed, the online reservation system feels outdated, and the ticket machines at stops resemble technology from the 1980s. They are often out of order, as are the ones on the buses. I recently witnessed a group of confused tourists struggling through Roam's convoluted ticket purchasing process, feeling embarrassed for them. Eventually, they were able to board a bus after accepting unfavorable conditions for a more expensive ticket, using a different payment method than desired. It's a maze of inconvenience that Roam puts their customers through. I'm sure they'll catch the next one, though.
Hannah Jordan (2025-07-27, 6:03 a.m.):
The most efficient and budget-friendly method to explore the Banff attractions without a personal vehicle is by utilizing the public transportation services. Tickets can conveniently be purchased online through the Transit app or at ticketing machines located around the city.
Christine Nelson (2025-07-22, 11:45 p.m.):
Reviewing the transportation service in Banff was quite the experience. I must say, I was pleasantly surprised to find public transit in such a quaint town! It made exploring the area much more convenient, especially when the rain started pouring.
Navigating their ticketing system and website was a bit of a challenge, I must admit. It took us a couple of attempts to grasp the route system and determine which app to use at different times before opting for day passes. Once we got the hang of it, things ran smoothly. I did notice that there were fewer buses operating during the off-peak season, so planning ahead was crucial.
During our stay, we encountered a delay in one of the bus services. It seemed like the driver was undergoing some training. While we didn't mind the wait, I could see how it could be frustrating for those with tight schedules. I didn't notice any notification system to inform passengers of the delay, just that the bus was running behind schedule.
Overall, I'm thankful for the availability of the bus service in Banff! Finding parking would have been a nightmare, even during the quieter periods when we visited. Kudos to the dedicated drivers who ensured we got around town safely!
Denise Turner (2025-07-22, 5:20 a.m.):
I had a rather unpleasant experience with two drivers during my trip to Banff.
The first driver was quite condescending and kept raising his voice at my mom because I didn't "show him my phone." Even though I did show it to him and pointed out the information he needed, he never bothered to take a look. He seemed upset because I didn't ask him about the bus fare in the way he expected, despite the fact that my mom and I had already purchased our tickets from a bus company similar to Greyhound. I was simply trying to clarify if we still needed to pay the bus fare on top of our existing tickets.
It's worth mentioning that my mom was speaking to him in broken English. Even though her tone may have sounded a bit direct, she certainly didn't deserve to be yelled at. And the driver just kept raising his voice, escalating the situation unnecessarily.
The second driver seemed a bit clueless. It was clear that my mom and I were together, as she showed him my phone with our tickets and even pointed them out to him on the screen. I was holding her belongings for her, yet this driver rudely questioned me about my ticket's whereabouts.
Honestly, it felt like he couldn't see what was right in front of him.
Shirley Harris (2025-07-16, 7:03 p.m.):
Terrible service. Line 2 in Banff on 07/27/2020 at 17:10. Due to COVID, we preferred to pay without cash. The driver refused card payment, despite a card reader being present. She insisted on cash only. I offered a 20CAD bill, but she claimed not to have change and directed us to a nearby vending machine, instructing us to catch the next bus. We quickly obtained tickets (though we would have preferred to avoid touching the machine, but were left with no alternative). Politely requesting her to wait, she drove off, leaving us to wait for the following bus. Unlikely to use this service again.
Laura Moore (2025-07-16, 12:51 a.m.):
It was convenient most of the time. The only hiccup I encountered was trying to return to my hotel from the Banff Gondola station at 9:05 pm. There were so many people that not everyone could fit on the bus, and with no proper queue system in place, it turned into a bit of a free-for-all as everyone rushed to board or face a potentially lengthy wait for the next bus. It would greatly benefit the service to have double the buses running during this peak time, especially since this coincides with the gondola closing and a surge of passengers needing transportation.
Megan Jackson (2025-07-10, 4:19 p.m.):
Yesterday, the driver we had seemed more focused on his earphones than on our destination, causing him to miss our stop twice. Today's experience was even worse. While waiting in line for the gondola, we were at the front when a lady cut in front of me to ask the driver about directions and timetables. I stood there with my tickets in hand, assuming the driver had noticed them. After waiting for a while, I eventually took a seat, thinking he had seen me. However, it turns out he had been telling me to wait (3 times), but I mistook it for him speaking to the lady who wasn't even taking the bus. He remained seated, glowering at me, and then aggressively exclaimed, "What's your problem? I told you to wait 3 times!" His behavior left me feeling very intimidated.
Theresa Foster (2025-07-08, 9:49 p.m.):
No complaints here! The buses run right on schedule, the drivers are lovely, and it's budget-friendly too! A mere $2 for a one-way journey within Banff (you can pay using the Token Transit app or cash - exact change required) or a complimentary bus pass for residents.
The Canmore bus (number 3) is incredibly convenient, and the Lake Louise bus (8x) offers comfort with customizable seating for just a $20 day ticket.
Allison Clark (2025-07-07, 7:47 p.m.):
Multiple handy pick-up spots scattered across Banff. The drivers are great at giving you a heads up when you're boarding the correct bus. Plenty of trips available during the week, making it easy to get around town, to the gondola, and even to Lake Louise. Only encountered one driver who was quite strict about no standing passengers - she made sure to stop taking on passengers once all the seats were taken. Apart from that, all the journeys were pleasant experiences.
Logan King (2025-07-07, 1:58 p.m.):
I am writing to express my extreme disappointment and frustration with the service provided by one of your bus drivers, Mr. Fumi M., during my recent trip on June 11 from Lake Louise to Banff Downtown.
My friend and I arrived at the bus stop in Lake Louise at 5:55 pm to catch the 6:12 pm bus to Banff Downtown as we had reserved. However, the bus driver did not allow us and the people behind us to board, and the bus left at 6:00 pm. We waited for the next bus, which arrived at 6:35 pm. As we were the first in the queue, we showed our e-ticket to the driver, Mr. Fumi M., and tried to explain our situation. However, he shouted at us, interrupted us, and scolded us. He even incited other passengers to boo at us. His behavior was unprofessional and left us feeling embarrassed and humiliated.
Despite our efforts to explain our situation politely, Mr. Fumi M. did not listen and insisted that we go to the end of the non-reservation queue. He even asked us to get off the bus and take the next one, even though we already had seats. His behavior was unreasonable and insulting. When we arrived at Banff Downtown, he gave me a $20 Canadian dollar bill, which I consider to be a bribe.
I would like to bring to your attention the disorganization of your ticketing system. If your bus drivers are not well-trained to handle ticketing problems, please offer them appropriate training or provide extra staff to handle these issues.
I urge you to investigate this matter thoroughly and take appropriate action against Mr. Fumi M. His behavior was unacceptable and it made us feel like he was being discriminatory. He repeatedly interrupted and scolded us, even though we were polite and trying to explain our situation. When my friend asked him to give us half a minute to explain our situation, he even counted with his fingers from 1 to 30 and showed a face with disdain. This behavior is unacceptable and discriminatory.
I chose your company's services primarily because the Parks Canada website specifically mentions that you are their partner. However, the unpleasant experience I had, particularly where discrimination took place in areas with a high concentration of tourists, is entirely unacceptable.
I hope that you will take this matter seriously and take appropriate action to prevent such incidents from happening in the future. I would appreciate a prompt and satisfactory response.
Randy Edwards (2025-07-05, 8:25 a.m.):
During our 8-day stay in Banff, we had the pleasure of experiencing the excellent service provided by all the bus drivers. However, the Asian gentleman who drives in the evenings stands out as truly exceptional! Despite not being able to understand his words, his performance is simply amazing. He definitely deserves a raise for his outstanding work!
Russell Hill (2025-07-05, 12:27 a.m.):
Just had another experience with Roam: they expect passengers to be aware of their own tardiness, yet maintain a flexible schedule that requires the use of an app for connections. The catch? The app doesn't even notify you if your bus is delayed, putting your connections at risk. This unreliability is a major reason why individuals prefer using personal vehicles instead of public transportation for important appointments.
Update: The new app functions somewhat better now, but Roam's punctuality remains a constant issue as indicated by their posted signs at stops. My advice? Take the bus that arrives before the one that supposedly gets you there on time.
Do not rely on Roam's apps or bus schedules. They often fail to update all timings, resulting in conflicting information between different apps and schedules. I've been forced to cancel appointments last minute due to their inconsistencies, and today, I'm late for work. Thanks a lot, Roam, you're simply the worst.
Margaret Russell (2025-07-01, 9:33 p.m.):
Roam transit proved to be quite handy for getting around the Banff area. We used it last year to travel from Canmore to Banff, and this year we hopped on from Banff to Lake Louise. Our favorite journey was to Lake Minnewanka on Route 6, where we caught sight of some impressive bighorn sheep. Bonus points for this route being covered by our hotel bus pass! One thing to note is that there isn't much space for luggage on the longer routes (like from Banff to Lake Louise), so it may not be the most practical choice for traveling between hotels. Additionally, the layout of the lower deck on the double-decker bus can be a bit tricky, as it's easy to stumble on your way down if you're exiting through the lower compartment.
Diane Gray (2025-06-26, 4:47 a.m.):
The bloomin' bus didn't stop or pull over for me to hop on. I made sure I was at the stop 10 minutes early because this company is notorious for never being on time. Ended up freezing me buns off for another 30 minutes in -24 degrees waiting for the next bus. Utterly ridiculous!