Health Connections is a transit service that connects people in outlying communities to their non-emergency medical and specialist appointments in Cranbrook. Although medical appointments have priority, everyone is eligible to use this service if space is available.

The Health Connections bus will provide service to every community along the route; however, all trips must be booked 24 hours in advance. When you call to book your spot on the bus, the Transit operator will give you information on the location and time for pick up.

When you are scheduling medical/specialist appointments, let them know you will be using Health Connections. This allows them to schedule your appointment within a time frame that gives you time to arrive in time for your appointment and leave their office in time to catch the bus home.

Fares:

One-way fare on all Health Connections busses is $2.50.  You need to have the exact fare as the driver cannot make change.  Remember, you must phone at least 24 hours in advance to book your seat.

Health Connections Schedule:

There are four different Health Connections busses running each week (all times are approximate).  The basic schedule and contact information is provided below. For more detailed information, visit www.bctransit.com

• Elkford - Cranbrook Route
  Runs: Wednesdays and Fridays.  The bus leaves Elkford at 8:00am, Sparwood at 8:30am, Fernie at 9:00am and arrives in Cranbrook at approximately 10:15am with stops at the Tamarack Centre, East Kootenay Regional Hospital and other medical facilities. The return schedule departs the East Kootenay Regional Hospital at 2:30pm. You will arrange your pick up time and location with the bus driver ahead of time. The bus arrives in Fernie at 4:00pm, Sparwood at 4:30pm and Elkford at 5:00pm.
  To book your space:  Contact 1-855-993-3100 Option 1 or direct 250-364-3262 at least 24 hours in advance to book your seat.
• Golden – Cranbrook Route
  Runs: Tuesdays and Thursdays.  The bus leaves Golden at 8:00am, Invermere (hospital) at 9:20am, Invermere (Chamber of Commerce) at 9:25am, and arrives in Cranbrook at approximately 11:15am with stops at a number of health facilities by request.  The return schedule departs the East Kootenay Regional Hospital at 3:00pm and arrives in Invermere at 5:00pm and Golden at 6:30pm.
  To book your space: Contact 1-855-993-3100 Option 1 or direct 250-364-3262 at least 24 hours in advance to book your seat..
• Creston - Cranbrook Route
  Runs: Tuesdays and Thursdays. The bus leaves the Community Complex at 8:30am. The return schedule: the bus leaves the East Kootenay regional Hospital at 2:55pm.
  To book your space: Contact 1-855-993-3100 Option 1 or direct 250-364-3262 at least 24 hours in advance to book your seat.
• Kimberley - Cranbrook Route
  Runs: Monday to Friday. The bus leaves Kimberley at 8:30am, 10:30am, 11:00am, 1:45am, 2:15pm, and 3:45pm. Travel time is approximately 40 minutes.  The return trips leave Cranbrook at 9:30am, 9:45am, 11:45am, 1:00pm, and 3:00pm.
  To book your space: Contact 1-855-993-3100 Option 1 or direct 250-364-3262 at least 24 hours in advance to book your seat.

For those with mobility issues, special door to door service may be available. Please check with the Transit Operator when booking your seat.

General Information

The Health Connections Transit Service is administered by the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District and BC Transit and is funded by Interior Health. Decisions on fares, routes and service levels are made by Interior Health based on information and planning provided by BC Transit. and the Kootenay East Regional Hospital District.

Questions regarding the bus, reservations, and booking should be directed to the Transit Operator (numbers are located above in the Schedule section). If you have questions or suggestions regarding the service, routes or fares, or if you require further information, please contact RDEK Corporate Officer Tina Hlushak at 1-888-478-7335.