There's now a transit connection between Stoney Nakoda Nation and Cochrane, thanks to the Stoney Nakoda Nation.

Swift Mini Thni Transit has already made a few stops in Cochrane today in its first day of service. The last one is at 7:10 p.m.

To mark the occasion, free rides are being offered all day to travel aboard the extremely comfortable 30-seat passenger bus.

Drivers Sue Calvert and Dawn Gillard made the maiden voyage and arrived at 9:30 a.m. sharp at the Cochrane stop, located by the public library, 405 Railway St. W. There are three stops in the Stoney Nakoda Nation.

Debbie Sailer, executive administrative manager of the Stoney Tribal Administration, and Devin LaFleche, Cochrane's community connectivity advisor, were there to take the first trip.

"We excited because it's going to bring safe transportation and affordability to the Stoney Nakoda Nation members and the residents of Cochrane, so they can get back and forth between the two communities," says Sailer.

After today, one-way fares will be $5.00. For that, you can travel from Cochrane to as far as the Stoney Nakoda Resort and Casino. Infants two years and younger ride for free.

There's also a free zone between downtown Mini Thni and the Chiniki Gas Bar. She says that will be of particular value to those normally walking along the shoulderless stretch of road between the two locations.

LaFleche, who heads up Cochrane On-Demand Local Transit (COLT), says Swift is a great addition to public transportation in the region.

"We're just really excited to work with the Stoney Nakoda Nation on this and wish them nothing but success," says LaFleche.

He believes there's a future opportunity for integration between the two services for regional transit into Calgary.

"The skies the limiting, and I'm just super excited for their launch today."

It's a four-month pilot, and in that time plenty of ridership data will be collected to help with future planning.

"We have a lot of interest about whether we'll expand it beyond Mini Thni towards the mountains further," says Sailer. "We'll be looking at all those types of things and, of course, we'll be looking for funding."

For schedules, route map and more details, visit here

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