Wilson’s eyes Victoria to Nanaimo bus route

Those travelling by bus between Victoria and Nanaimo could find themselves passengers of Wilson’s Transportation instead of Greyhound.

Island-based Wilson’s Transportation Ltd. has applied to the provincial Passenger Transportation Board to operate a Victoria-Nanaimo route. John Wilson, president and owner of the company, said the plans are to offer a minimum of one morning run from Victoria to Nanaimo and a return trip later in the day.

Depending on seasonal demand, service could be increased, he said.

The application comes less than six months after Greyhound Canada said it wanted to eliminate its route between Victoria and Nanaimo, along with several routes serving Northern B.C. and the Southern Interior. “[Taking over the Victoria-Nanaimo route] is now just a natural transition for us,” Wilson said. “If Greyhound isn’t going to operate the bus, we should try and make that work for us within our other programs.”

The Passenger Transportation Board has not made a decision on Greyhound’s bid to stop running between Victoria and Nanaimo. If it’s approved, the company will operate only freight service on the Island.

Peter Hamel, Greyhound Canada’s regional vice-president for Western Canada, said in the meantime, his company will continue to operate the passenger buses. Hamel said competition on the Victoria-Nanaimo route is fierce. Tofino Bus and Island Link Bus operate there and even B.C. Transit offers an inter-community service. He said that the average number of passengers per trip along the Victoria-Nanaimo route has dropped below 10.