About 250 people utilized the new On-It Transit summer weekend service from Calgary to Banff on its first day of service and gauging from the feedback and spreading awareness On-It officials believe its popularity will likely continue to rise.

On-It manager Ettore Lannacito was pleased with the response to the first day of the new weekend service and staff of the Calgary Regional Partnership, that created On-It, volunteered to be on hand at Calgary Transit's Somerset and Crowfoot stations as well as Cochrane and Banff to help with the launch.

"Even until the late evening hours for the last trip we were standing, selling tickets, helping customers with their luggage and basically answering questions and taking walk-ons. So for the first weekend of service, it went extremely well. It wasn't without its challenges, of course, but we pulled through and it was extremely success. I was really happy and quite satisfied with how things went."

Here in Cochrane, there were no passengers for the first bus at 7:37 a.m. but there were three customers for the 9:07 a.m. stop. Lannacito said the second and third morning time slots were the most popular for those heading to Banff.

He believes its popularity will continue to increase and is certain it will be extremely busy for the Canada Day long weekend. He also looks forward to seeing what transpires next weekend.

"The numbers are just going to get better. Already I'm looking at my emails and our customer service contacts are coming in fast and furious and there's people wanting to buy tickets, and telling us about their experience. So far it's been nothing but really positive comments."

"Some people who went on Saturday liked it so much went back to Banff yesterday (June 18)."

There was one customer who was thrilled with the price point and appreciated the opportunity to head to the mountains.

"We had a customer who sent us an email and said she hasn't been out of the City of Calgary for over 20 years because she can't afford to go anywhere. When she saw the service to Banff for $10 she said this will be the first time she's been out of the city to go anywhere meaningful because of the service and the actual cost of the fare."

The first couple boarding in Cochrane are here temporarily for work and leisure and took advantage of the service to make their first trip to Banff.

The buses weren't full the first weekend, but he believes that will change.

"In the future as the buses get fuller and fuller we would encourage our customers to pre-book their tickets but if they want to come we are more than capable and happy to sell them tickets on the spot."

On-It offers direct trips from Calgary to Banff as well as buses that stop in Cochrane and Canmore. In Cochrane you can catch the bus at 7:37 and 9:07 a.m. and three stop on the way back to Calgary at 8:31, 10:01 and 11:31 p.m. It's offered Saturdays and Sundays and holiday Mondays until the September Long Weekend. One-way fare from any point is $10. You can also connect to take advantage of the free Banff/Canmore Regional Roam Transit service.