Reservation pilot to launch for Johnston Canyon and Lake Louise buses this summer

Two popular Roam Public Transitbus routes in Banff National Park are moving to a reservation system this summer.

A one-year pilot project for the Johnston Canyon and Lake Louise scenic bus routes will begin May 21.

The reservation system will help the service better manage passenger demand, according toMartin Bean with the Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission.

"With the reservations we will know ahead of time if we're getting close to capacity and we will have the option to put another bus on if it starts to become a common occurrence that we're running out of capacity," he said.

"We are also leaving about 20 to 25 per cent of our seats open for walk-ups."

Bean said there will be extra bus capacity added this summer to accommodate physical distancing where possible.

The reservation pilot project will run until mid-September.

Bean says Roam Public Transit will also be offering bus service running along the Banff Avenue pedestrian zone this summer, as that road will be closed to other vehicles.

Information about how to make a reservation will be posted on Roam Public Transit's website in the weeks ahead.