Book Your Intercape Bus Ticket

There are 3 ticket classes:

1. FULL FLEXI : most expensive, but only 10% amendment fees, 25kg luggage allowance, and allows Intercape discounts.
2. FLEXI : cheaper than full flexi, 15% amendment fees, 20kg luggage allowance, and allows Intercape discounts.
3. SAVER : cheapest, but has 25% amendment fees, only 15kg luggage allotwance, no discounts & no seat reservations.

For example the average Intercape prices from Johannesburg to Cape Town in 2025 have been:

1. FULL FLEXI : R915
2. FLEXI : R828
3. SAVER : R760

Ask for Help!

Use the booking engine at the top of this page to check times/schedules, obtain the latest prices and make an online booking (prices are only final once you have made a reservation).

Whilst SAVER is often the cheapest Intercape ticket before discounts have been applied, the difference may not be as great if special discounts are applicable (as is often the case for children, students, groups, pensioners and the SANDF), For example pensioners are entitled to 15% discounts on Intercape and Big Sky Intercity, which if applied to the average flexi ticket price of R861 reduces it to R732; cheaper than the average saver class ticket. Carefully consider whether you might need to change your date or need the extra weight fallowance for your luggage.

Intercape December prices & timetable

The December Intercape timetable shouild become available towards the end of June. Watch this space.

Cancellations

1. FULL FLEXI allows cancellations up to 12 hours before departure time; refunding 90% of the ticket price.
2. FLEXI allows cancellations up to 24 hours before departure time; refunding 85% of the ticket price.
3. SAVER allows cancellations up to 48 hours before departure time; refunding 75% of the ticket price.

Ticket changes

All 3 tickets allow changes up to 15 minutes before the bus's departure time, and charge the different in ticket price, but have different fees which they also charge.

1. FULL FLEXI charges an extra 10%.
2. FLEXI charges an extra 15%
3. SAVER charges an extra 25%.

Luggage Allowance:

1. FULL FLEXI bus Tickets: 2 pieces of luggage, each max 80cm x 60cm x 30cm, up to 25kg total.
2. FLEXI bus Tickets: 2 pieces of luggage, each max 80cm x 60cm x 30cm, up to 20kg total.
3. SAVER bus Tickets: 2 pieces of luggage, each max 80cm x 60cm x 30cm, up to 15kg total.
4. Cross-Border: 2 pieces of luggage, each max 80cm x 60cm x 30cm, up to 30kg total.

Luggage is taken at your own risk.

- For domestic departures, excess luggage is charged at rate per extra kilogram (R7 at the time of writing), with a maximum of 20kg excess allowed.
- For cross-border departures, excess luggage is charged at rate per extra kilogram (R9 at the time of writing), with a maximum of 30kg excess allowed.

Discounts & Specials

The discounts Intercape offers are only available on flexi and full flexi classes of tickets, not on saver class.

Reserved seating

You are only allowed to reserve seats on FLEXI and FULL FLEXI tickets, and then only on certain routes (includes all Sleepliner routes). You are not allowed to reserve seating with SAVER class tickets.

Payment method

You can only use Payflex to pay in instalments if you have booked the full flexi or flexi classes of tickets (ie not saver).

Booking an Intercape bus ticket

Make Intercape bus ticket bookings online, in person at a sales office/affiliated store, via email/WhatsApp or telephonically.

Website bookings

You can book an Intercape bus ticket online at Shoprite Computicket other mandated online travel agency platforms, at the top of this web page via SA Travel Online (an authorised affiliate of Intercape) or at www.intercape.co.za itself. You can also use the Intercape app. Here's a video showing you how easy it is to book a ticket online:

In-person bookings

At Intercape sales offices, any Pick 'n Pay stores or alternatively buy your Intercape tickets at Shoprite/Checkers stores with money market counters, where you can book bus tickets at - these offer the same prices as the online Shoprite Computicket website).

Telephonic bookings

Phone 24/7 bookings at 021-3804400. This number may also be used for booking enquiries.

Click here to see a full list of Intercape contact details (phone numbers, emails and addresses)

Whatsapp bookings

Also 021-3804400.

International booking numbers

Botswana	Mozambique
+267 397 4294	+258 823894919
Namibia	Other International
+264 82 410 1000 (new)	+27 21 380 4400
South Africa
021 380 4400 +27 21 380 4400

Email bookings

Email info@intercape.co.za or care@intercape.co.za

For charters email charters@intercape.co.za

In Windhoek email whkbook@intercape.co.za

 

Payment methods

Payment may be made by deposit (EFT), via debit card or credit card. For payments via EFT, bus tickets are only ready once the payment is reflected in Intercape's bank account. Payment options are:

• Credit card:
  • SNAPSCAN booking app on your phone provides an alternative method of paying using your credit card.
  • 3D SECURE is a way of paying with your Credit Card and a One Time Pin (which is sent by SMS) You can only use 3D secure if you have asked your bank to activate 3D Secure on your credit card.
  • EBUCKS and your credit card can be used to pay, also with a 1-time Pin sent via SMS.
• PAYFLEX Intercape to pay a quarter of the total bus ticket amount every 2 weeks (see more below).
• OZOW Internet Banking EFT payments from Absa Bank, Capitec Bank, First National Bank, Investec, Nedbank and Standard Bank. If you pay with an EFT, your bus ticket wont be made available to you until Intercape's bank account has indicated that the EFT is there.
• 1FORYOU: You can also pay for Intercape bus tickets using a 1 For You Voucher, which is available at FLASH, PEP, Shoprite/Checkers, Ackermans, and USAVE.
• 1ForYou Voucher. .Use the booking engine at the top of this page to make your reservation, whjen prompted with "1 For You Voucher" (see image below) enter your 16-digit 1Voucher PIN in the designated "voucher number" box.

Bank details

INTERKAAP FERREIRA BUSDIENS
Absa bank
Code 632005
Acc 4054603640

Booking reference are SMS'd to passengers once payment has been made, and electronic tickets are emailed to passengers; keep these available to show the bus conductor (together with your identification documents).

Use Payflex to pay in 4 instalments (interest-free)

Payflex offers a simple way to pay for Intercape bus tickets (Only available on Full FLexi and Flexi Pay Classes) with 4 interest-free payments. You make an initial payment of 25%, followed by three additional payments of 25% every 2 weeks. To use this option, you'll need a debit or credit card and your ID number. PAYFLEX is only available at Intercape offices and on the Intercape website.

You can use Payflex to book an Intercape bus ticket online. Start off at the usual Intercape online booking page ; fill in where you are travelling from and to, and the date you wish to travel on. Then select the Intercape bus or Big Sky Intercity bus (Intercape's sister company) that best meets your needs; ensuring that you select "Flexi" or "Full Flexi tickets" (PAYFLEX payments do not work on the "Saver" option). Click "Buy" and then select the PAYFLEX payment option:

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Use FNB Aspire card & earn eBucks

Use a qualifying First National Bank Aspire card to pay for your Intercape tickets and you could earn eBucks up to the value of R150 (potentially every month); but you wont earn on bus routes outside of the border of South Africa.

Inside Intercape's various types of buses

Intercape's buses range from the premier Sleepliner class coaches to Mainliner, Budgetliner, Inter-connect and luxury charters. To maintain a young fleet, they put their older coaches up for sale.

Uplifting, family-friendly entertainment rooted in Christ-centered values and the love of Jesus is provided. Enjoy on-screen entertainment including

• Intercape on RightNow Media
• Intercape TV on Youtube
• Video on Demand

Sleepliner Inside

Sleepliner coaches were launched in 2005, Everybody deserves a chance to travel in an Intercape Sleepliner coach. The highlight of a trip in a Sleepliner is when the driver turns off the lights so you can sleep. Sleepliner is the premier luxury branded coach trips offered by Intercape, with the idea being that you are so comfortable that you can sleep all the way; in their "sleeper seats".

The sleeper seats provide additional leg area, can recline by 150 degrees (so not quite flat, which would require 180 degrees), have padded foam and a USB charging point (Ed: as somebody who is always on their smartphone and laptop, the USB port sells it for me - there are even USB port on Budgetliner under the seat). Here's a review of a Sleepliner trip from Pretoria to Beville, via Bloemfontein:

 

Here's a review of an Intercape Sleepliner trip from Windhoek to Cape Town via Rheboth, Keetmanshoop and Vredendal (a great tip they provided is to pack warm clothes and a duvet, as the bus can get cold):

When travelling overnight you'll sleep a lot and so do not take the overnight ride if you want to take in the scenery. We recommend taking something like a book or crocheting if that's your vibe, to keep yourself occupied.

Mainliner Inside

The Intercape Mainliner bus is marketed as being in between the cheaper Budgetliner and the premium Sleepliner coaches. Click here to read more about it, and check prices for bus tickets and make bookings.

Budgetliner Inside

Keep costs down by travelling on an Intercape Budgetliner, a semi-luxurious coach trip, offering reclining seats with seat belts, reading lights and USB charging points under the seat. The absence of onboard toilets is a significant drawback. Here's a review of an Intercape Budgetliner trip from Cape Town to Pretoria.

And here's one of a Budgetliner from Johannesburg to Cape Town:

@thebusspotterkwakhanya9930 shares details of his first trip on an Intercape Budgetliner, the route being from Johannesburg to Butterworth (former Transkei) in the Eastern Cape, via Bloemfontein. The friendly driver allows him to sit up front on the jumper seat, where they chat about buses and trucks, and we get a bit of a feel of life as an intercity bus driver:

Inter-Connect Inside

Intercape Inter-Connect buses are Toyota Coasters; which are smaller than the Sleepliners, Mainliners and Budgetliners; but bigger than mini-bus taxis. Inter-Connect buses are available on the following routes:

• Cape Town to Stellenbosch, Paarl, Worcester, and onward to George.

• Cape Town to Cape Town Airport, Somerset West, Botriver, Swellendam and onward to George.

• Bloemfontein to Middelburg, Witbank, Vereeniging, Vanderbijlpark, Johannesburg, Kroonstad, Welkom, Theunissen, Brandfort and onward to Nelspruit.

• Durban to Richards Bay, Stanger, Empangenic, Hluhluwe and onward to Maputo.

The Budgetliners have USB charging points.

Here's a Youtube video review of an Intercape Inter-Connect bus trip:

Tourliner Inside

Intercape's Tourliner division provides a charter bus hire service to all groups . Tourliner's fleet of buses varies from 28-seater to 60-seater coaches. All Groups are supported.

Big Sky Coaches Inside

Like Intercape Tourliner, Big Sky Coaches offers a charter tour bus service to groups such as companies (e.g. teams wanting to go on a trip), travel agencies, churches, schools and tertiary institutions.

Big Sky Intercity

Whilst the Big Sky Intercity bus service does not use the Intercape brand name, it is nevertheless owned by Intercape. Click here to learn more about Big Sky Intercity.

Note: This is not the official Intercape Site. Email info@intercape.co.za for ticket price queries

Intercape Freightliner

Phone 021-380-4455 or email freightliner@intercape.co.za

Visit Intercape Freightliner offices at the corner of Morris Close & Montreal Dr , Airport Industrial, Cape Town, Western Cape, SA.

Parcel delivery service

Intercape offer a parcel delivery service from office-to-office in SA. Email logistics@intercape.co.za

About Intercape

The Intercape Bus is South Africa's largest intercity coach company which is privately owned, and has an extensive network of Southern African cities between which bus bookings can be made; which are serviced by its approximately 150 buses. It is known for its safety record, which has been enhanced through the implementation of its own speed limit of 95km/h throughout its route network, which is monitored 24 hours a day through a satellite tracking system. Buses are operated in SA, Botswana, Mozambique and Namibia. Intercape's self-imposed speed limit on mountain passes is 40km/h

Intercape's Cape Town depot is in the Cape Town Airport Industrial Area,

Book your Intercape bus ticket online right here!

Click to jump to:	Bookings/Reservations & discounts
Sales Offices & Stops	Policies & Conditions of Carriage
History, News & Info.	Ask for Assistance

 

Sales Offices & Stops

(Please note that not all stops are indicated on this list)

Eastern Cape	Jeffrey's Bay Port Elizabeth Uitenhage Grahamstown King Williams Town East London Butterworth Idutywa Mthatha Kokstad Queenstown Aliwal North Cradock Graaff-Reinet Middelburg
Free State	Bloemfontein Welkom Kroonstad
Gauteng	Johannesburg Pretoria
KwaZulu-Natal	Durban Pietermaritzburg Stanger Empangeni Richards Bay Manguzi Kosi Bay Ponta d'ouro
Limpopo	Polokwane Makhado
Mpumalanga	Nelspruit
North West	Rustenburg Vryburg
Northern Cape	Vanrhynsdorp Garies Springbok Keimoes Upington (Lutz Street) Postmasburg Kimberley Colesburg
Western Cape	Cape Town Somerset West Mossel Bay George Knysna Plettenberg Bay Oudtshoorn Bellville Laingsburg Beaufort West
Botswana	Gaborone
Mozambique	Maputo Xai - Xai Maxixe Massinga Vilankulos Inhassoro Muxungue Inchope Beira Tete Nampula
Namibia	Keetmanshoop Rheboth Windhoek Swakopmund Walvisbay Grootfontein Rundu Tsumeb Ondangwa Oshikango Oshakati

Meal Breaks

On the longer trips the bus does stop for a meal break. In order not to still be waiting for your food when the bus is leaving, make sure that the first thing you do when the bus stops is to order your food. Intercape itself, does not offer meals.

Marketing

Email marketing@intercape.co.za or media@intercape.co.za

Policies & Conditions of Carriage

Accompanied children travelling cross-border: Due to the high prevalence of cross-border child-trafficking, the Department of Home Affairs (South Africa) has issued a directive. All passengers crossing Beitbridge Border Post between South Africa and Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi (i.e. either travelling from South Africa to those countries, or from those countries to SA) with children under 18 years old, MUST HAVE documentation proving that they have legal guardianship or proof of consent by the legal guardian.

Alcohol & smoking: Intercape reserves the right to refuse passengers that are intoxicated due to alcohol consumption. The consumption of alcohol and/or smoking is also prohibited.

Luggage: When travelling with Intercape, each passenger is entitled to a free luggage allowance of two pieces of luggage, whose dimensions shall not exceed 80cmx60cmx30cm in size, and with a combined mass limit which varies depending on the type of ticket (saver, flexi or full flexi) and whether an international border is being crossed. An additional fee will need to be paid for luggage exceeding this allowance.

Items falling under the following category of goods: firearms, hazardous/harmful chemicals, explosives or toxic substances will not be allowed on Intercape vehicles as passenger luggage.

Unaccompanied luggage on Intercape's cross-border services is allowed, but only under certain conditions.

Pets: ONLY trained guide dogs accompanying blind passengers are allowed on Intercape`s vehicles

Ticket cancellation & refunds: ONLY tickets booked under Intercape's Full Flexi and Flexi classes are entitled to a refund. Tickets booked in the Saver class can be swapped for travel vouchers (valid for 3 years from the date of issue of the voucher) which may be used when making a new Intercape bus booking.

Unaccompanied children:

Children under 12 years will not be allowed to travel alone on Intercape;

Children between 13 and 18 years will be allowed to travel alone on Intercape, provided that a prescribed Intercape indemnity form for unaccompanied minors has to be completed by the legal guardian or parent in respect of each unaccompanied child.

No unaccompanied children under 12 years will be allowed on cross-border routes.

Summary of terms and conditions

For traveling with Intercape:

1. Documentation and Check-In:
• Ensure your travel documents and ticket details are accurate.
• Arrive 30 minutes before departure for domestic trips and 60 minutes for cross-border trips.
2. Family and Special Needs:
• Children under 12 years old must be with a guardian over 18 years old.
• Unaccompanied minors aged 12-18 need a completed indemnity form.
• One child under 24 months may sit on a guardian’s lap.
• Pregnant women beyond 30 weeks cannot travel; those beyond 28 weeks need a medical certificate. All pregnant women travelling on Intercape need to complete the prescribed indemnity form.
• Inform Intercape of any special needs or medical conditions before traveling.
3. Liability:
• Travel is at your own risk.
• Intercape is not liable for loss, damage, or injury related to transportation,including property damage or loss.

For full details, including additional rules and fees, refer to Intercape's complete Terms & Conditions. The EXCLUSION OF LIABILITY is important; also note that you may never hold SA Travel Online and related parties liable for anything.

History, News & Info

(see the Intercape routes page for history and news on its bus routes)

• .October 2025. Intercapee introduces the Irizar i6s Efficient powered by a Volvo B13R, delivering 500hp.

• July 2025. Intercape takes delivery of their first i6s Efficient built on a Volvo B13R Euro 6; Chassis offering 500 horsepower; making them South Africa's most powerful coaches.

• Aug 2024. Intercape are taking delivery of 10 double decker Sleepliner buses and 5 single deck buses.

• 7 Feb 2024. Judge Motilal Rugunanan of the High Court (Eastern Cape) rules that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and the South Africa Police Service have not met their duty to protect Intercape buses, passengers and drivers against an orchestrated campaign of violence by "perpetrators of crime". The perpetrators want to drive the Intercape out of business, so as to allow the monopolisation of the routes by taxi drivers. The reason the Hawks should be involved, is as the violence against Intercape is a form of organised crime/racketeering (as defined in the Prevention of Organised Crime Act). The Hawks/SAPS have been ordered to investigate each of the 165 cases Intercape has oprened, and provide a report to the NPA (National Prosecuting Authority), Intercape and the Court; setting out the steps they have taken in the investigation, with the report needing to be submitted by 6 Apr 2024. The Western Cape, Eastern Cape, KZN & North-West Provincial Commissioners have been instructed to report Intercape's cases opened in their areas to the National Head of the Hawks/Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation; and to file a report by 7 March 2024 regarding this to the Investigating Directorate.

• 29 Aug 2023: The bus operator has introduced a new regional route, from Gaborone to OR Tambo International, stopping at Rustenburg, Pretoria, Midrand and Johannesburg. This offers great connectivity for Zimbabweans travelling from the airport to the rest of the country.

• July 2023. Intercape launches Big Sky Intercity bus trips.

• 4 Oct 2022. Intercape completes its takeover of Bloemfontein-based Big Sky Coaches, a charter company, establishing the group as a leading charter coach tour operators. Click here to learn more about the takeover.

• 2022, second half of the year: In a follow up to the allgeations from the March and April 2022 meetings, it's alleged that Makalala starts a company called Makalala Trans, which operates long distance bus trips to areas Intercape has halted services as a result of the violence.

• 25 Apr 2022. An Intercape driver, Bangikhaya Machana, is shot dead whilst on the way to load spassengers at a bus depot.

• Apr 2022. In a follow-up meeting from the 28 Mar 2022 meeting, Johann Ferreira, Intercape Chief Exec, meets up with Makalala again, where it is alleged that Makalala offers to lift the "restrictions" placed on them in return for an amount of money (at a later meeting at which Makalala was not present, Ferreira alleges that he is informed that the amount of money is R5m).

• 28 Mar 2022. Intercity bus operators, including Intercape, attend a meeting in East London with various taxi associations: the Gauteng Taxi Association, UNCEDO, CODETA and CATA. Johann Ferreira, Chief Exec of Intercape, has sworn under oath that “at this meeting, the representatives of the long-distance bus operators were brazenly informed by the taxi representatives that the only way to resolve the issues between the parties (i.e. to stop the violence) was for the long-distance bus operators to agree to certain terms and conditions… [the] meeting was led by a man named Bonke Makalaia, who is affiliated with CATA”. It's alleged that Makalala wanted the intercity bus operators to collude with them by limiting the number of bus trips per day as well as inflating their bus prices and not stopping at Butterworth, Cofimvaba, Gcuwa , iDutywa, Nqamakwe, Ngcobo and Tsomo.

• 23 Feb 2021. Since South Africa's land borders have re-opened, Intercape is happy to announce the resumption of Namibia from the 5th of March 2021.

• 18 Dec 2018. An Intercape bus driver is suspended after a video was shared on Facebook of him illegally overtaking two vehicles.

• Sep 2017. Intercape is fined $5000, after a passenger was caught by officials at the Beitbridge border post, smuggling Broncleer from South Africa to Zimbabwe. However, Intercape are not allowed to check customers luggage, so couldn't pick it up themselves.

• 12 May 2017. Amidst strike action within the bus industry, Intercape confirmed that they are not affected by the national trade union strike, and it's business as usual.

• 10 May 2016: Continuing the streak of bad press, Intercape has once again come under fire after passengers were left furious. The bus from Johannesburg to East London had already departed an hour later than scheduled, leaving at 18h30 rather than 17h30, only to turn around once it reached Denver for a late passenger. According to passengers the bus driver received instructions to turn arround and collect a late passenger. Furious passengers weren't given explanations and were treated even worse when they tried to lay complaints at the company's call centre. In response Intercape released an apology stating that employees involved in this would be disciplined. We can only hope that the bus turns around for us if we should ever be late (Spoiler - it wont!).

• 14 February 2017. Intercape teams up with the Old Mutual Heath Streak Academy Trust, as its official travel sponsor.

• 14 April 2016: Intercape has been receiving a lot of bad press recently. After police made a nearly R5 million worth of illegal abalone bust on one of their coaches last week, another bus was pulled over and passengers left stranded after it became apparant that the driver wasn't in posession of the correct permit. Passengers were left stranded near Harrismith for over three hours, despite the fact that Intercape were reportedly sending a back-up. It did however become apparant that the inconvenience was due to no fault on Intercape's side. The coach company had made a timeous application for the renewal of the permit, but processing was delayed at the Department of Transport. The law states that as long as they had applied before the old permit expired, it would be accepted along with proof of application in the form of a receipt. The confusion was cleared up after which the bus continued on its route.

• 2 October 2015: Intercape has adopted a new fleet management system, MiX Telematics, that helps improve operational efficiency and encourage positive driver behaviour. This system will give alerts for things such as harsh breaking and speeding. It will also assist in managing rest periods for drivers. The visual and audio alerts from Mobileye helps drivers make decisions with advanced vehicle, lane and pedestrian detection technologies to measure the distance to other vehicles, lane markings and pedestrians.

• 16 September 2015: Yesterday evening a double-decker intercape bus was set on fire when someone threw three petrol bombs at it. The bus, filled with long-distance travellers, burned out. Sadly two passengers were trapped inside and passed away. 36 passengers, among them 2 children, were injured although most suffered small injuries that were treated at the scene. The police have opened a murder case as well as an attempt to murder. The motive is not yet clear, although the road where it happened (N2 Strand) frequently sees protest action. Intercape bus drivers have been on strike since August, but as they are nearing an agreement it does not appear to be related. InterCape buses are ongoing.

• 2015. Intercape starts using the fleet tracking services of MIX Telematics.  

• 6 Apr 2013. In the first such attack in over a decade in Mozambique, a truck which was carrying fuel to Maputo, and an Intercape bus on its way from Maputo to Beira are attacked by men in Renamo uniforms with AK47s, in Sofala, Mozambique, killing 2 civilians in the truck. "They attacked 2 vehicles - a bus and a truck... there were two deaths in the truck and two civilian women injured in the bus. Two women were injured on the bus. They are in hospital in Muxungwe. We don't know why they are stopping civilian vehicles. The population are fleeing their homes and fields. The whole district is living in fear" said a town administrator, Arnaldo Machohe. Ossufo Momad, of Renamo said that "Renamo distances itself from this attack. During the civil war we had identical situations where Frelimo used our uniforms and blamed us for attacks on civilians. After 20 years of peace why would we want to do this?"

• 15 Dec 2008. Intercape's attorneys write a letter to the authorities arguing that Road Link Passenger Services (Pty) Ltd are illegally transporting passengers between Cape Town and Pretoria via Upington, as their operating licence was suspended by the Transport Appeal Board on 7 Jul 2008.

• 31 Aug 2008. An Intercape bus overturns on the N2 outside Caledon, on the way from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town. Seven of the 44 passengers are slightly injured.

• Apr 2008. Two Nigerians are arrested in Port Elizabeth after attempting to transport stolen goods (televisions, laptops and playstations) on an Intercape bus. The goods were purchased using a stolen Standard Bank Debit Card.

• Johan Ferreira Junior, the son of the founder, purchases 100 percent of the shares of Intercape from the family trust.

• 1999. After winning a court case with SA Railways, Intercape secures the transportation rights to the Durban route.

• 1988. Intercape is the first to import new double-decker Neoplan coaches.

• 1979. The Intercape bus service is established by Johan Ferreira, the second bus company he has started, with operations from Cape Town.

• 1971 Johan Ferreira start a bus service with a single bus, calling the entity "Central Bus Service", over time changing its name to "Windhoek Bus Service".

Ask questions about Intercape & Big Sky Intercity: