Roam Transit, Parks Canada funding agreement to purchase electric buses

March 23, 2022

The move to electric vehicles will reduce emissions and personal car dependency within Banff National Park.

An agreement between Roam Transit and Parks Canada will help the transit provider purchase an additional three battery-electric buses.

A five-year agreement between Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission (BVRTSC), which operates Roam Transit, and Parks Canada will allow the transit provider to purchase electric buses in a move the commission and federal government believe will reduce personal car use in Banff National Park.

“This agreement is a key milestone in Roam’s movement toward reducing emissions and further encouraging the use of public transit in the Bow Valley,” said Martin Bean, CAO, BVRTSC. “Our municipal partners, town of Banff, town of Canmore and Improvement District 9, join Parks Canada in the commitment to improving environmentally-friendly transit options.”

BVRTSC added its first Proterra electric buses to its fleet last summer to serve downtown Banff, the Banff Gondola, the Banff Springs Hotel and Tunnel Mountain campgrounds. The three buses were partially funded through the Green Transit Initiatives Program through the government of Alberta.

The C$12.9 million (US$10.26 million) agreement between BVRTSC and Parks Canada will help purchase three additional Proterra electric buses, which will be deployed in the summer of 2023.

“Introducing electric buses for tourists to explore Banff National Park really brings home why we love parks in the first place – because we want to preserve and protect our beautiful natural environment,” said the Honorable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada. “These electric buses help cut down on pollution and show the leadership of Parks Canada and Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission in the fight against climate change.”

According to Parks Canada, Banff National Park hosts more than four million visitors annually. Reducing congestion and emissions supports the preservation of the park, which is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

“Roam Transit has played a pivotal role in helping our Bow Valley communities manage the high visitation and traffic congestion at Canada’s most iconic Rocky Mountain destinations, while also providing cost-effective transit options for local residents,” said Miranda Rosin, MLA for Banff-Kananaskis. “The purchase of three additional electric buses will ensure that Roam Transit can continue to serve our local population and continue to advance our valley’s reputation as a sustainable and conscientious tourist destination.”

About the Author

Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director

Mischa Wanek-Libman serves as editor in chief of Mass Transit magazine and group editorial director of the Infrastructure and Aviation Group at Endeavor Business Media. She is responsible for developing and maintaining the editorial direction of the group and is based in the western suburbs of Chicago.

Wanek-Libman has spent more than 20 years covering transportation issues including construction projects and engineering challenges for various commuter railroads and transit agencies. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.

She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and serves as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.

She is a graduate of Drake University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication with a major in magazine journalism and a minor in business management.