AMPPE continues to discuss and manage the processes for commercial operators along Moraine Lake Road. We recently met with the Lake Louise Yoho Kootenay Field Unit to review the progress of these processes and evaluate revenue performance.
The concerns brought forward by our members include
- Parking Challenges: Guides are still circling the lot looking for parking, and some members suggest that slight parking reconfigurations could provide more space.
- Invoice Transparency: Operators have expressed a desire for a more detailed breakdown of their invoices to improve clarity.
- Reporting Duplication: Some operators feel that using a spreadsheet to report their trips duplicates their efforts since they are already using a key fob to record trips. However, Parks Canada has indicated that these spreadsheets remain necessary, as some drivers have been over-scanning their fobs.
Important Reminder: Please ask your drivers to be more patient and scan only once carefully. The extra scanning is causing an administrative burden for all involved.
Regarding revenues, at the time of our meeting with Parks, some operators had not yet submitted their spreadsheets, and June revenue numbers were not available. Parks reports a relatively smooth first month of operation at Moraine, with visitor numbers similar to previous years and a handful more operators. With the exception of a few complaints from operators about companies not displaying logos on their vans and charging more for tickets than advertised, Parks has seen a high level of compliance.
While Parks’ traffic services will still operate at a deficit, this fee is meant to offset that shortfall. Included in the traffic services budget are costs for shuttles, flaggers, washrooms, and permitting administration. Revenues are generated from licenses of occupation, permits, and parking fees, which are 10% higher than last year. Additionally, paid parking will be introduced at Fairview parking lot in the future. Notably, this is also the final year of Parks’ current shuttle service, and discussions for a new contract for buses will take place next year.
This fall, Parks and AMPPE will be hosting a discussion to talk about the processes from this summer to help streamline operations for the future. With this input, Parks aims to release communication by November with details for summer 2026.
AMPPE will meet with Parks again in a couple of weeks to further discuss revenue topics. Parks Canada is open to discussing fee levels, including potential fee reductions in the future if revenues exceed their $4 million goal.
We remain committed to facilitating these discussions to support sustainable operations at Moraine Lake and Lake Louise. Stay tuned for further updates as we work to address these important concerns!