Transit Information
Since its inception in 1991, the Whistler Transit system has grown with the community and for years experienced the highest ridership per service hour in BC. The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) continues to work with BC Transit to improve services and options for affordable transit passes to build transit ridership and provide equitable and efficient transit aligned with Whistler’s transportation objectives.
Spring-Summer-Fall Service
Reduced Seasonal Service Effective April 2 to December 11, 2013
The regular seasonal change to Spring/Summer/Fall reduced service began on Tuesday April 2, 2013. From April 2 to April 21, there will be additional buses on the road to meet Late Winter demand – please see shaded areas of Rider’s Guide for Late Winter additional bus times. Paper copies of the Rider’s Guide are available. An electronic copy of the Rider’s Guide and the schedule by route is posted on the bctransit.com web site.
Whistler Transit System Goes Live with @WhistlerTransit
You can now follow @WhistlerTransit on Twitter to stay up to date on customer alerts and helpful transit information. Access the Twitter account here.
Download the Winter 2012/2013 Transit Schedule in the New, Easy-to-Read Format
The Winter 2012/2013 Rider’s Guide is now out with a new format for Routes 1, 2 and 3. Routes are presented in a combined schedule that shows all service options available for Northbound and Southbound routes. The extra weekend service is also included in grey. The goal of the new Rider’s Guide format is to present all the information in one, easy-to-read area. Download the schedule here.
Whistler Signs Memorandum of Understanding with BC Transit
During the November 6, 2012 Whistler council meeting, Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on behalf of the RMOW with President and CEO of BC Transit, Manuel Achadinha. The MOU formalizes an agreement between the RMOW and BC Transit, which will result in the Whistler receiving approximately 2,000 service hours at no net cost. Read more.
2011 Whistler Transit Service Review
In Fall 2010, during the RMOW’s 2011 budget process, it became clear that there was a growing gap in funding needed to maintain the current transit system into the future. Council instructed staff to work with BC Transit to review the finances and service structure of the Whistler Transit system to identify a system that all partners could financially sustain.
The reviews were presented to Council through three reports: a preliminary service review report May 17, 2011 (where the BC Transit recommendations were based on detailed ridership information gathered from mid-December 2010 through mid-February 2011), a full service review report September 6, 2011 (which included the results and changes based on the public comments through the summer) and a financial and facility report November 1, 2011. The goal of these reviews was to define and implement a transit system that the community can afford for Winter 2011/2012 and beyond. As outlined in the November 1, 2011 Council report, the combination of the results from the service review and financial review brought the $2.3Million dollar funding gap from last year down to $0.8M – as savings of $1.5M to the Whistler tax payer in 2012. The new smaller transit system of 60,500 hour service (19% cut in annual service hours) came fully into effect November 24, 2011.
Learn about the Whistler Transit Service Review:
- Early Winter 2012 and 2012/2013 Winter Transit service update - news release
- Spring/Summer/Fall 2012 Whistler Transit service update - news release
- Spring/Summer/Fall 2012 Whistler Transit service update - letter to passengers
- Mid-Winter Schedule change effective February 23, 2012
- Whistler Transit System Financial and Facility Review
- Council Report: May 17, 2011, September 6, 2011, November 1, 2011
- BC Transit regional system partnership
- Whistler's Hydrogen Bus Fleet
Funding for Whistler Transit is cost-shared between the RMOW and BC Transit. All revenue collected comes directly to the RMOW to offset our 53 per cent share of local costs. A portion of revenues from municipal user pay parking helps to fund transit in Whistler.
Ticket Vendor Locations:
- Alpine Meadows -Meadow Park Sports Centre
- Nester's Square - Nester's Market
- Whistler North - Municipal Hall (all passes including 6-month and 12-month passes)
- Whistler Village -The Grocery Store, Whistler Visitor Centre
- Main Street -7-Eleven
- Cheakamus Crossing - Hostelling International (HI) - Whistler
Additional Transit Information:
- Information on routes, schedules and fares: To pick up a Rider’s Guide, call the local BC Transit operator at 604.932.4020 or visit www.bctransit.com/regions/whi. Buses run from 5:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. every day in Whistler.
- Save On Fares: Save when you buy a sheet of 10 tickets. For frequent transit users, Monthly, 6 Month and 12 Month Passes will offer a significant savings over paying cash fares.
- Tax Exempt Bus Pass: The Government of Canada tax credits if you use a bus pass. Keep your monthly pass and dated receipt.
- Accessible Buses: 100% of the transit buses used in Whistler’s fleet are low-floor buses, providing wheelchair, scooter and stroller accessible service on transit routes throughout the region.
- Free Village Shuttle Service: The #4 - Marketplace Shuttle runs from the Gondola Transit Exchange (stop #4) to Marketplace/Medical Centre in the winter only, while the #5 Upper Village/Benchlands Shuttle (Gondola Transit Exchange stop #5) services Blackcomb Mountain Base Lodge and Benchlands accommodations year-round.
- Free Lost Lake Shuttle: In summer, Whistler Transit operates a free shuttle bus service from Gondola Transit Exchange (stop #4) to Lost Lake.
- Free Transit Days: To encourage use of public transit and discourage travel in single occupant vehicles, the municipality offers free transit on important days throughout the year, such as New Year’s Eve.
- GradPass: In an effort to promote safer and more sustainable ways to travel, the RMOW provides a special GradPASS to every graduating student at Whistler Secondary School, good for two days of unlimited travel within Whistler in June. BC Transit’s GradPASS Program helps get students home safely at graduation time.
- Request a stop: This convenient program is available to passengers after 9 p.m. Passengers who feel that their safety is at risk may ask their driver to stop between regular bus stops. Simply inform your driver at least one stop ahead of where you wish to get off. Your driver will let you off as close to your requested stop as possible. For safety reasons, passengers using wheelchairs or scooters may only stop at designated wheelchair-accessible bus stops.
- Bikes on Board: Bike racks are installed on Whistler Transit System buses in mid April, and are removed in early November. The bike racks hold most wheel and frame sizes, but are not designed to hold tandem or motor-powered bikes.
- Skis and Snowboards: Bring your skis/poles or snowboard on board with you. Please be mindful of other passengers and hold your skis/poles or snowboard safely in front of you. Hold skis with their tips pointed down.
- Pets on Board: Pets on Board is a program to welcome small fur-bearing or feathered pets contained in secure, clean, hand-held cages on the bus. Assistance animals that are certified are allowed on public transit at all times. You may be asked to produce your Guide Animal Certificate.
Visit the BC Transit website for more information.
Find answers to frequently asked questions.
Calculate Your Commute:
Find out the most cost-effective way to get around in Whistler. A general estimate of savings, BC Transit’s commuter calculator takes into account typical values for: fuel efficiency, annual maintenance, tires, depreciation, and assumes that you are taking transit in place of your vehicle. If you are walking, cycling or commuting on your own power, your costs will be even lower.
