Tickets are now available online for the On-It summer weekend bus service connecting Calgary, Cochrane, Canmore and Banff.

The service is being launched on June 17 and for $10 passengers can travel to Canmore or Banff in the west and Calgary to the east. With the free shuttles available at the Banff National Park passengers can even go as far as Lake Louise for the fare. It will run Saturday and Sunday as well as on holiday Mondays until the Labour Day Long Weekend.

An online reservation system, payable by credit card, has been established and if any seats are left people can also purchase with a credit card at the bus, explains On-It manager Ettore Lannacito. The addition of a debit card payment system is being explored but isn't available at this time.

Those using the service are encouraged to book their bus tickets in advance through the On-It website to guarantee their seat.

"It's a really great way to manage the load and meet people's expectations and give them a sense of confidence that they have a seat on that bus," explains Lannacito.

The 54-seater will be stopping in Cochrane four times each day it runs, twice in both the morning and evening.

The buses are coach and offer comfortable seats, some overhead storage and a washroom. Children 5 and under ride free and those two and under are required to sit on their parent's lap.

The pilot service is being launched in part due to the high volumes of traffic anticipated for the Banff National Park this summer. When the idea was being explored, Cochrane Mayor Ivan Brooker lobbied to have Cochrane included as a stop. It loads at what many refer to as the old town hall block, Centre Ave. and 2nd St.

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