A new bus route will take you straight from Calgary to Drumheller this summer
Visiting some of Alberta’s most iconic landscapes and attractions is about to get a whole lot easier, with new transit options rolling out between Calgary and Drumheller this summer.
A direct bus route operated by FlixBus is set to launch May 14, offering a car-free trip to the town, with stops in the downtown core and at the Royal Tyrrell Museum.
Later in the season, a second service will make it easier to get around once you’re there. Starting June 26, a free hop-on, hop-off shuttle called ValleyConnect will link even more of the region’s biggest draws, including the Drumheller Hoodoos, the Atlas Coal Mine National Historic Site and the East Coulee School Museum.
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The region draws more than 500,000 visitors annually and is expected to generate $786 million in visitor spending by 2035, according to Travel Alberta. The agency has identified the area as a key tourism development zone, with visitor spending expected to climb significantly over the next decade.
“These new services are about more than getting visitors from one place to another,” said Lana Phillips, ValleyConnect project manager.
“They help people experience more of the region, spend more time in our community and support the local businesses that make Drumheller so special.”
The shuttle project is being funded in part through a provincial program supporting small communities, along with contributions from local business groups.
More tourism development is also in the works across the Badlands, including new places to stay and experiences aimed at turning the area into a year-round destination.
The new FlixBus route also comes a week after the company announced an expansion of its network across the prairies, with new routes linking Alberta to Winnipeg, Brandon, Swift Current, and Moose Jaw.