Council is interested in expanding Jasper’s transit system over the next five years, including adding a winter route to Marmot Basin.

On Tuesday (June 23), committee of the whole directed administration to incorporate the expansion options into the 2027 – 2031 transit business plan and return prior to budget deliberations this fall. These options are not yet approved.

Jason Paterson, president and CEO of Marmot Basin, advocated to council in favour of a winter route between the ski resort and the townsite. He described it as “an investment in our economic success and accessibility of our entire community.”

“Our resort is a key driver in Jasper’s winter economy,” he said. “However, access is a significant barrier for many potential visitors and employees.” 

Paterson said many people did not have their own vehicles — including students, seasonal workers, seniors, international visitors and younger travellers — while others may be uncomfortable with driving on a winter road.

He added that transit was essential for supporting Jasper’s wildfire recovery and could reduce people’s reliance on personal vehicles within the park. He cited how Revelstoke has a dedicated shuttle for its ski resort.

According to the transit business plan, the winter route would cost $331,000 annually, with an anticipated $187,200 in revenue. The net increase in cost would be $143,800.

Paterson suggested a public-private partnership would allow the Municipality of Jasper to share transit costs.

“Expanded transit would strengthen our economy and support local businesses, which is really key right now,” he told council. “I’d encourage you to look at this and work with local partners on this project.”

Coun. Danny Frechette said council had faced “considerable pushback” on transit but noted the success that the Bow Valley has had with its transit system.

“Your presentation is music to our ears,” he told Paterson.

The proposed route would cost $10 per one-way trip and operate daily every 90 to 120 minutes from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mayor Ireland asked if this would be sufficient or would Marmot Basin have to supplement this service with other transportation options.

Paterson said this would be a good start but acknowledged it may require augmentation depending on staffing schedules and the morning rush of users.

Ireland also voiced concern about this route competing with the private sector, but Paterson said a public-private model would allow all local partners to participate.

Other options for expansion include increased summer frequency, year-round townsite service by fixed route and a winter service span increase. Administration stated these proposals were based on stakeholder feedback and estimated it would cost between $1.1 million and $1.2 million per year total to incorporate all the expansions.

Coun. Laurie Rodger supported routes servicing areas outside the townsite but questioned the viability of a town loop.

“How can you have a big bus riding around all the time with nobody on it?” he asked. “It doesn’t make any sense to me.”

School service

The Municipality will replace the current yellow school bus service with a school special transit service beginning in September.

This will be a regular transit service available to anyone and designed around bell times to transport students. Committee directed administration to implement this delivery approach.

Staff say Grande Yellowhead Public School Division (GYPSD), Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord, and École Jasper Elementary School support this approach.

“To prioritize student safety, GYPSD will hire a bus monitor position to ride the bus on school days, ensuring students are supervised as well as just monitoring the co-mingling between students and other transit users,” said Erin Toop, manager of Jasper Transit.

GYPSD has been contributing $142,000 annually toward the service. This funding will be reduced to $65,000 due to provincial policy changes and a reduction in students eligible to use the school bus. 

Toop confirmed that this alternative approach would ensure both eligible and ineligible students can take the bus while expanding the service to non-students.

It will cost the Municipality an extra $6,000, but after the new buses are acquired, the school service will become cost neutral. 

“It’s essentially expanding the service that’s available to the whole community for quite a nominal cost,” Toop said.

Peter Shokeir // info@thejasperlocal.com