Smart Card – Frequently Asked Questions – Roam Transit

Smart Card – Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Smart Card?

A Roam Smart Card is a plastic reusable card used to store Roam transit pass credits. Your Smart Card can be loaded with either pre-paid rides (in multiples of 10) or as a time-based pass. If you select pre-paid rides, your card will be loaded with 10 rides. If you select a time-based pass, your card will be loaded with 31-day increments.

Why is there a $3.00 fee?

As the card contains a microchip and an embedded antenna, there are increased costs compared to paper fare media. The card fee covers the card expense, set-up, and a registration option. This re-loadable card can be used over and over again.

Can I get my $3.00 fee back?

You can receive your $3.00 card fee back if you return an undamaged card to one of our vendors listed below.

Why register my Smart Card?

There are many benefits to registering your Smart Card:

  • It can be replaced if the Bow Valley Regional Transit Services Commission is notified that it has been lost or stolen.
  • It can be cancelled.
  • The remaining balance on the card can be transferred to a new card (with a $3.00 fee).

IMPORTANT – Lost or stolen cards that have not been registered are non-refundable.

IMPORTANT – Cards that are broken or damaged are non-refundable, including cards that have been registered (See our Smart Card policy ).

How do I register?

Your Smart Card can be registered online or in person at the Roam Customer Service Desk in Banff at 224 Banff Avenue – Inside the Banff Visitor Centre.

For additional information, please view the Roam Transit Smart Card policy.

When do I register?

Any time you receive a new card you should register that particular card as soon as possible.  For example – If you purchase a Roam Smart Card, and register that card, then when it runs out of credits and you reload that same card (at the Roam Customer Service Centre or Canmore Civic Centre), you would not need to register that card.

However if you decide to purchase a new card from a vendor, and not reload your old card, then you would register that newly purchased card.

How do I report a lost or stolen Smart Card?

Lost or stolen Smart Cards should be reported to the Roam Customer Service Centre office as soon as possible, either in person or by phone (403.762.0606).  Replacement cards must be picked up at the Roam Customer Service Centre in Banff.

Cards reported lost or stolen outside of regular office hours (Monday to Friday 9:00AM-5:00PM) will be processed as soon as possible on the next business day.

When can I re-load my Smart Card?

Your Smart Card can be reloaded any time up to and after expiry.  Any outstanding balance of either time or rides on your Smart Card will automatically be added to the amount that is reloaded.

Where can I re-load my Smart Card?

Your Smart Card can be re-loaded at the following locations:

  • Roam Customer Service Desk located at 224 Banff Avenue – Inside the Banff Visitor Centre
  • Canmore Civic Centre located at 902-7th Avenue in Canmore
  • Banff Town Hall, 110 Bear Street in Banff