Victoria – Claire Trevena, BC Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, has issued the following statement following Thursday’s meeting with Western Canadian ministers and representatives on Greyhound’s service withdrawal:
“Today’s meeting with ministers from Western Canada, and a representative from Ontario, was positive and productive. We recognize Greyhound’s surprise withdrawal will leave people with limited options to get around. Greyhound’s 90-day deadline for service withdrawal is extremely short for alternatives to be developed. We have agreed to write to the federal minister of transport to advocate for all Canadians who need access to safe, reliable and affordable transportation.
“My staff have been in close contact with their federal counterparts to advocate for British Columbians who will lose bus service, and I have asked them to continue to work together.
“I hope local operators will see an opportunity to bring a badly needed service to the parts of the B.C. most affected by Greyhound’s decision. The Passenger Transportation Board will be moving new inter-city bus applications to replace Greyhound to the front of the line.
“I am committed to sitting down with service providers, the private sector and local government, and will continue to be in close contact with my provincial counterparts, to explore what other options are available to keep communities connected.”
The BC Passenger Transportation Board announced on Wednesday that it will fast-track applications for inter-city bus services as a result of Greyhound Bus shutting down all but one route.
According to published reports, applications will be moved to the front of the line and the process will be streamlined.
The only route spared in BC with be the Vancouver to Seattle run, which is run by Greyhound in the US.
