Tourism Fernie has launched a pilot project to test a visitor-focused summer shuttle until September 4th. Both visitors and residents will have access to this complimentary shuttle that officially started today, Thursday July 20th, thanks to tourism funding. #FernieStoke Shuttle operates during the day 9:00am till 5:00pm Wednesdays to Sundays, plus holiday Mondays (August 7th and September 4th).
This convenient service is intended to help riders explore and move around Fernie to engage with more services, activities, shopping, dining and experiences. With both an extended and express route, the shuttle will connect Historic Downtown, various accommodators, the Visitor Centre, Fairy Creek Falls trailhead, Mount Fernie Provincial Park & Fernie Alpine Resort.
The service is first come, first served with limited seating. It hopes to help alleviate parking congestion, reduce vehicle emissions by having a transportation option instead of driving one’s own car, support job creation and local businesses, and the visitor experience. Schedule, route and additional information can be accessed at www.FernieShuttle.com.
“After many seasons working in partnership with stakeholders on the ski shuttle we are excited to test the waters with a summer program,” exclaimed Jikke Gyorki, Executive Officer at Tourism Fernie. “We also hope to test an evening service this summer, though like most businesses in the community there is a shortage of labour and thus drivers currently.”
The summer shuttle program is a partnership between Tourism Fernie, Tunnel49, Fernie Alpine Resort and the City of Fernie. The #FernieStoke Shuttle buses are the same ones used for the winter ski season service, which are owned by the City of Fernie and were purchased in 2022 through tourism funding from the provincial Resort Municipality Initiative. The summer service is operationally paid for by Tourism Fernie who has contracted Tunnel49 to operate the scheduled route. The pilot project will test demand and interest for future planning and services, while also providing important data for future public transportation initiatives by the City.
