Alberta bus company one step closer to replacing Greyhound in BC
After announcing earlier this year that it had applied to take over operation of BC bus routes that will soon be left without Greyhound service, Ebus has received the first phase of application approval from the Passenger Transportation Board (PTB) to do so.
In the pending application approval, the PTB said it found the applicant (Ebus) “to be a fit and proper person who has the necessary skills and infrastructure in place that would indicate that they are capable of managing and providing the additional service.”
That service would include service from Kamloops to Vancouver, with two departures a day from each city. Stops along the way would be allowed as well, in Merritt, Hope, and Chilliwack.
The company also wants to add two departures from both Vancouver and Kamloops via Kelowna in the morning and afternoon. This schedule would allow for travel between Kelowna, Vernon, and Kamloops.
Application filed after Greyhound announced cancellation
Earlier this year, Greyhound Canada announced it will only continue one route in BC and cancel all bus and freight services in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.
The decision is due to a “challenging transportation environment that is characterized by declining ridership in rural communities,” said Greyhound, in a statement.
The company says it is facing “increased competition” from subsidized national and inter-regional transportation services.
“It is with a heavy heart that we announce these service impacts for the end of October. We understand that these route changes are difficult for our customers,” said Stuart Kendrick, Senior Vice President, Greyhound Canada.
Kendrick added that Greyhound Canada ridership has dropped nearly 41% across the country since 2010.
“Simply put, we can no longer operate unsuitable routes.”
Greyhound says the changes will go into effect on October 31, 2018.
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