Keep rolling
The Charlottetown-based Trius Tours bus company boasts more pros than cons as it gets set to make its case on Oct. 9 for taking over the wheel on the Maritimes interprovincial bus service that Acadian Lines plans to bring to a grinding halt on Nov. 30.
First, Trius Tours is based in the Maritimes. Glenn Carr, president of Local 1229 of the Amalgamated Transit Union, criticized Acadian Lines’ parent company, Quebec-based Group Orleans Express, comparing the company’s management to absentee landlords who don’t understand the Maritimes. Having a P.E.I.-based company provide the service would negate that argument.
Second, Trius Tours has a track record in the Maritime provinces. The company runs the municipal transit services in Charlottetown and Summerside. But it also offers charter services throughout the Maritimes, and operates a line-run service between Halifax and Yarmouth.
Third, Trius Tours, with a fleet of 45 motorcoaches, is in the unique position to be able to take over from Acadian Lines (which has 38 motorcoaches) without having to make any major purchases right away. According to Trius Tours owner Mike Cassidy, in the short term, the company could employ buses for the interprovincial service normally used during its busier May to November seasonal business.
Fourth, Trius Tours appears to have good relationships with other major transit companies. Halifaxbased bus tour operator Ambassatours Gray Line — a Trius Tours competitor in the charter business — considered putting in a bid to take over the interprovincial service, but bowed out, stating that Trius Tours is currently in a better position for that business. And Trius Tours would welcome working with Via Rail to integrate bus and rail services in the Maritimes.
Fifth, Trius Tours is a private company. Following the announcement that Acadian Lines would soon be no more, all three Maritime provincial governments agreed that an interprovincial bus service is vital to the region. All three governments also agreed that the service should not be subsidized or publicly-funded.
However, the picture is not entirely rosy for Trius Tours. Shuttle companies have complained to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board about Trius Tours’ proposal to offer occasional discount fares to certain groups, arguing that they aren’t allowed to do that. That’s a valid point. If increased pricing discretion is allowed, it should permitted be across the board.
But Advanced Shuttle Services of Summerside went so far as to suggest that there’s no need for another Halifax-Charlottetown run, as the existing shuttles aren’t running at capacity.
However, comparing motorcoaches and shuttles — even “luxury” shuttles — is like comparing apples and oranges. They both offer unique assets. But some travellers prefer the advantages of taking the bus, such as big seats, more room for luggage and washroom facilities.
With some give and take on rates and routes between Trius Tours and the Maritime provinces’ regulatory agencies, there could well be a relatively seamless continuation of the interprovincial bus service after Nov. 30.