An application has been made for a bus service reduction that could directly affect the travel needs of North Island residents.
Greyhound Canada Transportation has applied to the B.C. Passenger Board to eliminate two routes that service this remote part of Vancouver Island.
The application, made public in a mid-June bulletin from the B.C. Passenger Transportation Board, proposed eliminating Routes F, U, and W from Greyhound Canada’s service.
Route F services the Alberta border and Highway 93, Route U services Nanaimo to Campbell River, and Route W services Campbell River to Port Hardy.
Route W includes stops in Sayward, Woss, Port McNeill, the Port Alice Junction, and Port Hardy.
While a lack of bus service to half of the island may seem like a dire development for North Island residents, another bus company has made a simultaneous application.
Tofino Bus Services Inc. has proposed to add two new routes. The proposed Route 4 would service Nanaimo to Campbell River, and Route 5 would service Campbell River to Port Hardy.
The minimum frequency of the buses travelling these two proposed new routes would be the same or greater than the previous under Greyhound Canada.
“The idea is that Tofino will take over the Greyhound services,” says Jan Broocke, director and secretary to the B.C. Passenger Transportation Board. At the time the elimination of these routes is in the application stage of the process. Written comments can be sent to the B.C. Passenger Board by mail or email by July 2.
