Experiencing Banff by Bus: Roam!

Environment-friendly hybrid buses offer a "wild" experience

Banff residents and visitors alike are wild about Banff's new public transit buses.

On June 2, 2008, Banff became the first municipality in Canada to introduce an all-hybrid electric transit fleet. The new buses look special too; they are wrapped in authentic Banff National Park wildlife imagery. Each bus features a unique back-country view of grizzlies, elk, goats and wolves.

Banff Town Councillor Stavros Karlos is one of many local residents who are thrilled with the new buses. "We live in a national park and UNESCO World Heritage Site, so it is really important to us to always consider the environmental impacts of our decisions," says Stavros.

"The new buses reduce emissions and lower our fuel and lifecycle costs. They also look amazing, and provide a new experience of our park surroundings... I think people are going to want to leave their cars where they are, and Roam instead."

The new public transit service has been named "Roam" to suggest both the experience we enjoy while riding the buses, as well as the grandeur of our natural environment where wildlife roam free.

Source: Town of Banff June 2008

Banff Wins Transit Award

Banff Mayor John Stutz has won a national award for his role in championing the evolution of the town's new public transit system, from a mere bus ride to what is touted to become an enjoyable experience.

The mayor received the award from the Canadian Urban Transit Association in Quebec City on Wednesday Nov 14 2007. Banff is expected to bring in its new fleet of four hybrid buses early next year.

As part of the overall plan, the Town of Banff will place larger-than-life wildlife wraps around the buses, put story boards along the interior ceilings of the buses, and install a GPS system to help orient transit riders who are less familiar with Banff sites.

Source: Rocky Mountain Outlook