Greyhound’s departure leaves major transit void
Western Canada must make filling the gap a top priority, Claire Trevena writes.
People are understandably fearful about Greyhound’s decision to eliminate all its service in B.C. and throughout Western Canada.
As a government, we are working to making life better for people and to ensure they can access the services they need. The safe, reliable and affordable service provided by bus operators is necessary for people to travel for work, to access health or social services, or to visit family or friends.
So the impact of its loss on northern and rural communities in particular cannot be overstated.
We knew ridership on Greyhound was down, and when the company pulled its services in northern B.C., we responded. However, at that time the company chose not to tell us it was planning on eliminating service throughout our province or the rest of Western Canada. The decision to do so is frustrating and disappointing.
Greyhound had been looking for government to subsidize its operation. It would not have been appropriate for the B.C. government to provide funding to the international company when the same situation was occurring across half of the country.
It is not just a B.C. problem, it is a national problem. The same story is unfolding in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and half of Ontario.
Since most of Greyhound’s routes are in B.C., we feel the greatest impact and as such I have led discussions with my provincial counterparts, and have heard their shared concerns.
Finding a solution to this problem is a top priority for our government.
Premier John Horgan will be discussing this issue at the Council of the Federation meeting of the premiers in New Brunswick later this week.
It is not just a B.C. problem, it is a national problem. The same story is unfolding in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and half of Ontario.
It is our expectation that the prime minister understands the importance of transportation to a country as diverse and vast as Canada. To have no long-distance bus transportation from Sudbury west is unacceptable. We are encouraged by the prime minister’s promise this week that the federal transport minister will work with the provinces to see what paths forward there are.
Meantime, our government is working hard toward a permanent solution.
The Passenger Transportation Board is fasttracking applications from companies wishing to provide service on the routes.
Government has received several applications and has forwarded them along to the Passenger Transportation Board, and I am hopeful other local operators will see an opportunity to provide that service.
I will be meeting with service providers to discuss next steps, and hear their ideas on how to address the challenges they may face in servicing the routes being left vacant by Greyhound.
Their input is valuable as we work with the federal government, other provinces and municipalities to make sure people can travel safely and reliably in B.C. and across Canada.