Today, Alternative Routes operates rural hop-on, hop-off routes and curated day trips designed to make Atlantic Canada more accessible, more connected, and more human. We take the hospitality the Maritimes are known for and apply it to transportation, giving travellers the freedom to explore rural communities on their own schedule — without needing a car.

Our hop-on, hop-off model allows travellers to decide where to stop, how long to stay, and what kind of experience they’re looking for. Along the way, our driver-guides offer local insight, honest recommendations, and a sense of place you don’t get from a script — more “you should try this spot” than “please remain seated.”

How It Started (The Short Version)

Founder Sam Bambrick grew up in Prince Edward Island, travelled extensively, and later became one of Halifax’s first 7 Airbnb hosts. What she noticed, over and over again, was simple: people wanted an authentic experience of Nova Scotia — and had no practical way to get there.

So in 2016, she bought a van and built a solution.

Alternative Routes started with one vehicle, one route, and a big idea: tourism should support communities, not just move people through them. That idea still drives everything we do today.

Where We’re Headed

Alternative Routes is proudly values-led and aspiring B Corp. We measure success not just in ticket sales, but in:

• dollars directed to local businesses

• access created for travellers without cars

• jobs supported in rural communities

• and experiences that feel real, welcoming, and unforced

We also believe that good experiences start with people who are treated well — which means fair pay, reasonable schedules, and a work culture where our drivers and team actually enjoy showing up.

We are not here to do tourism louder.
We’re here to do it better.