Taking transit in Whistler

The Whistler Transit System is provided through a partnership with BC Transit. The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) works with BC Transit to build transit ridership, improve services and provide equitable and efficient transit. Whistler Transit Ltd. is the management company that operates the transit system in Whistler.

Funding for the Whistler Transit System is shared between the RMOW and BC Transit. All revenue collected comes directly to the RMOW to cover 53 percent of costs to operate transit in Whistler.

Late-winter Service: April 1 to 22, 2019

It’s that time of year again when transit service levels are adjusted for late-winter and spring. Effective Monday, April 1, 2019, the Whistler Transit System will be operating at the reduced Late-winter Service level.

The Route 7 Staff Housing Complimentary Shuttle program continues through April 22, 2019. Service is free on the 7 Staff Housing between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m. This is a pilot project sponsored by Whistler Blackcomb, Fairmont Chateau Whistler and Gibbons Life.

Download the new 2019 Late Winter-spring-summer-fall Rider’s Guide or pick up a paper copy on the bus at the end of March.

Full Winter Service begins Saturday, December 15, 2018

Full- winter service changes will be in effect on December 15 and will bring improved midday service on Route 20X Cheakamus/Village and Route 25 Whistler Creekside/Village, more trips in the evening on Route 6 Tapley’s/Blueberry, and the debut of the new route 10 Valley Express. This new route will provide faster service and direct connections for passengers travelling between neighborhoods north and south of Whistler Village at key commuter times, removing the need to transfer buses in Whistler Village.

Download the winter Rider's guide Winter 2018 2019 or pick-up a copy of the bus after December 5, 2018.

New 10 Valley Express route

Whistler has a new transit route this winter, part of a pilot project to better connect neighbourhoods north and south of the Village during peak periods by providing a one-seat trip—no need to transfer buses in the Village.

In order provide the quickest travel time possible, the 10-Valley Express bus will use existing transit stops along Highway 99 and to avoid congested areas that lengthen trip times, it will not detour into Meadow Park Sports Centre, Whistler Village or Whistler Creekside.
Other stops will include reinstated “Olympic” stops on Highway 99 at Whistler Village and Whistler Creekside as well as short detours into Rainbow Plaza, Nesters Mall, and Function Junction.
Travel time on the 10 Valley Express from Emerald to Function/ Function to Emerald will be approximately 30 minutes depending on traffic volumes. This is reduced from the previous travel time of over an hour as riders needed to transfer buses to continue north/south.
An online survey in June 2018 showed that 91 per cent of participants strongly supported this service.
Full schedule for the 10 Valley Express is available at www.bctransit.com/whistler.
Let us know how the new service is working for you at www.bctransit.com/whistler.
The 10 Valley Express will be visible on the NextRide tool. Find the NextRide tool at www.bctransit.com/whistler.

Follow your bus in real-time using the NextRide website and map, all from your smartphone or desktop

Transit users can now plan their trips more efficiently and see where their bus is along its route, all from their smartphone or computer. NextRide uses Automatic Vehicle Location to provide customers with real-time locations of their buses and its predicted arrival time at a stop. NextRide also includes on-board enhancements, so customers can see and hear upcoming stop information upon approach. BC Transit will publish real-time GTFS (General Transit Feed Specification) feeds on its Open Data page which will allow third-party developers and applications to use the data. Check out NextRide now at bctransit.com/whistler. Click the image below to see the NextRide tip sheet full size.

Free Village Shuttle Service

Several free shuttle services are offered all year, courtesy of the Province of British Columbia's Resort Municipality Initiative.

Route 4 - Marketplace Shuttle runs from Gondola Transit Exchange to Marketplace in the winter only.
Route 5 - Upper Village/Benchlands Shuttle runs from Gondola Transit Exchange to Blackcomb Mountain Base Lodge and the Benchlands year-round.
Route 8 - Lost Lake Shuttle runs from the Gondola Transit Exchange to Lost Lake Park every day from Saturday, June 15 to September 2, 2019.

Everyday is Family Day on Whistler Transit

Did you know an adult customer using a valid Whistler Transit System Pass, ticket or cash fare can bring up to three children (12 years and under) on board for free? For more information click here

Whistler Experience Spirit Transit Pass

The Resort Municipality of Whistler, Whistler Blackcomb and Chamber of Commerce have partnered to offer Whistler Experience® participants 6-month and 12-month Spirit Transit Passes as part of the 2017 Transportation Action Plan. With your valid Whistler Experience number, a 6-month Spirit Transit Pass is $240 and a 12-month Spirit Transit Pass is $450. That’s one month free with a 6-month pass or 20 per cent savings over buying monthly passes and three months free with a 12-month pass or a 25 per cent savings over buying a monthly pass!

To purchase a 6-month or 12-month Spirit Transit Pass, come to the Customer Service desk at Municipal Hall between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays. You must present your Whistler Experience® number to claim your discount when purchasing your Spirit Transit Pass. Please read the Terms and Conditions.

For employers wishing to purchase passes directly for their staff, please contact:

Emma DalSanto, Transportation Demand Management Coordinator
edalsanto@whistler.ca">edalsanto@whistler.ca
604-932-5535

Transporting recycling and compost to Nesters or Function Depots

Beginning November 18, 2017, the Whistler Transit System is starting a pilot project where passengers can carry residential compost, recyclable materials or personal waste on the bus provided:

The waste must be in one non-transparent container that fits on your lap
The container must be leak proof, odour proof and puncture proof, and must be sealed for safety reasons
The container must be held on your lap, in a backpack, or on the floor where it will not obstruct the aisles or other customers
You maintain hold on the container throughout the ride, for safety reasons
You must not put the container on a passenger seat

All safety rules must be followed for the driver to allow transport of household waste on the bus.

Find out everything you need to know about riding the bus.

Free weekend and holiday Monday transit service returns June 15, 2019

The summer transit service free weekend program has now ended for the 2018 summer season. It will return on Saturday, June 15, 2019 through Monday, September 2, 2019.

The complimentary summer service is funded by parking fees from Day Lot 1-5 courtesy of the Resort Municipality of Whistler and Whistler Blackcomb as part of the Whistler Whistler Transportation Action Plan 2018-2028. For more information, visit BC Transit Whistler after June 1, 2019.

Free Lost Lake Shuttle

Route 8 Lost Lake Shuttle will return from June 15, 2019. The shuttle will operate until Labour Day, September 2, 2019.

Check BC Transit Whistler(link is external) for full schedule information.

Transit service expansion

Over the next three years, Whistler buses will increasingly run more frequently, thanks to agreements struck between the RMOW and BC Transit. In addition to the recent expansion of transit service by 750 hours in the Spring 2017, 1,000 hours in Fall 2017 and 6,500 hours in 2018/2019, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed to add 2,500 hours every year for three more years (from 2019/2020 to 2021/2022). That equates to a total of 15,000 more service hours between 2017 and 2022, making it easier for everyone to catch the bus and get to where they want to go, when they want to go there.

Regional transit initiatives

A regional transit service is being pursued for the region stretching from Mount Currie to Metro Vancouver by local and First Nations governments in the area. Regional transit will help connect the communities and improve mobility and affordability, as well as reduce environmental impacts and traffic. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) went to RMOW Council on June 19 for endorsement and is going before other partner councils this summer. From there the next step will be to meet with the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure to continue to develop the model and get funding support.

Learn more about initiatives to enhance transportation in the Sea to Sky Corridor.