The B.C. Passenger Transportation Board (PTB) has ruled in favor of eliminating and reducing Greyhound bus routes across the province.
A majority of the routes to be eliminated are in Northern B.C., though it is affecting the Okanagan.
The application was made by Greyhound due to a loss of profit.
Since 2010, Greyhound claims that ridership has dropped 51%.
Even though Greyhound claims that they have reduced costs in a number of areas, factors such as urbanization, increased competition and recent reductions in oil prices which prompt people to travel by car, have all lead to the approved decision.
“We regret having to do this and appreciate the board’s acknowledgement of the difficult circumstances under which we’ve been operating over the past several years,” said Stuart Kendrick, Senior Vice President, Greyhound Canada.
A majority of routes along the Okanagan and surrounding areas will not be completely eliminated, rather Greyhound plans on reducing the route frequency to two trips per week in each direction.
Those routes will include:
"Greyhound's decision to cut service in northern and interior British Columbia is unfortunate. People rely on Greyhound's long-haul, inter-city bus service to get to and from major cities,” says Claire Trevena, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure.
"Eliminating and reducing service along rural and remote routes will leave people vulnerable, particularly Indigenous communities, women, seniors, children and those living with disabilities.In the coming weeks, I will be speaking to local elected officials, First Nations and others affected by Greyhound's upcoming service changes, so we can deliver long-term solutions that work for everyone.”
A complete list of route changes can be found online.
All cuts will occur no sooner than June 1, 2018.
In instances where eliminations and route flexibility is permitted sooner, Greyhound Canada is expected to base that decision on passenger demand and will provide customers with sufficient notice for route changes.
“We will continue to provide fair and open communications with our customers to ensure that adequate notice is given for any planned route changes,” confirmed Kendrick.
“We appreciate that these changes will be difficult for our customers and staff.”
Click here for more information on the recent changes.
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