Columbia Valley Transit
It’s very easy to get around the Columbia Valley BC. Just Take a Columbia Valley Transit bus!
Do you have a medical appointment in Cranbrook? A mobility difficulty that prevents you from driving? Would you like to spend a day shopping in a larger community but don’t want the hassle of the long drive to and from?
Just hop on a Columbia Valley Transport bus! It’s fast, it’s inexpensive and you get to sit back, relax and enjoy the scenery. Even if you rode your bicycle into the valley, you can use one of the two bike racks on each community bus during daylight hours, provided it is available and there is room on the rack. Each bus also features two storage lockers.
Columbia Valley Transit is a service provided by the Regional District of East Kootenay and BC Transit.
Health Connections
Health Connections provides accessible transportation options for non-emergency medical appointments. Although medical appointments have priority, everyone is eligible to use this service if space is available. You must book your trip 24 hours in advance by calling 250-344-5237. The Health Connections bus travels from Golden to Cranbrook Monday and Friday with a stop at the Invermere District Hospital. The cost is $2.50 each way. You can find more information about this service at: https://bctransit.com/cranbrook/schedules-and-maps/health-connections/golden-cranbrook
Bus service between Edgewater and Canal Flats is available Mondays to Fridays during the year, except for statutory holidays.
Fare Schedule
Columbia Valley Transit has a 2-zone fare schedule with fares differing in each zone:
- Local Zone – Radium, Invermere, Windermere and Fairmont
- Regional Zone – Edgewater, Canal Flats
Tickets
Tickets for Columbia Valley Transit may be purchased at several locations in the valley:
- Canal Flats – Village office
- Invermere – RDEK Columbia Valley office, AG Valley Foods, District of Invermere office
- Radium – Visitor centre
- Edgewater – Pip’s Country Store
- Upon request, the Regional District of East Kootenay will mail sheets of tickets
Cash fares are accepted, although drivers do not carry change so make sure you have the exact amount of your fare.
- Adults, Senior & Students – $2.00 (local zone) – $2.50 (regional zone)
- Children 4 yrs. & under – FREE
- Monthly pass – $42.00
- Tickets (10) – Adults, Seniors & Students: $15.00 (local zone) – $18.00 (regional zone)
- A universal bus pass is available for low-income seniors and persons with disabilities (see website for details)
There are several scheduled stops in the various communities and you can find the one nearest to your location as well as arrival and departure times at: http://bctransit.com/columbia-valley/schedules-and-maps
Unscheduled Stops
In rural areas along Hwy. 93/95 where there are no designated bus stops, the bus can be flagged down along the route. Just find a spot where visibility is good and there is a space where the driver can pull off the road safely. If it is dark, use a flashlight to signal to the driver.
On Request
This is a special door-to-door service of the Columbia Valley Transit System in Invermere and Radium, with service from Monday to Friday, 9:20am to 11:00am and 2:15 to 3:30pm. Priority is given to the first to call and people with mobility challenges. To book a trip, phone 1-877-343-2461 one day ahead and leave a message for a return call. Then give origin and destination location, time of travel and similar return trip details. If you need to cancel a trip, be sure to let the office know so someone else may be accommodated.
To find the bus stop nearest you, view excellent maps of the routes through the various valley communities at:
Schedules & Maps – https://bctransit.com/columbia-valley/schedules-and-maps
Information about fares and fare zones can be accessed here.
For more information about schedules, fares, etc, go to https://bctransit.com/columbia-valley/ or phone 1-877-343-2461 from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday.
