Greyhound cuts back Island routes

NANAIMO – Greyhound Canada has been given the go-ahead for its proposed route cutbacks.

Greyhound Canada has been given the go-ahead for its proposed route cutbacks.

The B.C. Passenger Transportation Board this week approved the company’s application to reduce its minimum route frequency from Nanaimo to Campbell River to one trip per day instead of two, and to eliminate service from Victoria to Mount Washington, which currently operates at least three times per week.

Greyhound noted losses of $14.1 million on scheduled passenger operations in the province during its 2011-12 fiscal year, according to the board’s application decision.

In its application, Greyhound said the losses were “unsustainable” and noted higher fuel and maintenance costs, reduced ridership and unregulated competition from provincial agencies like B.C. Transit as a few factors.

Fifteen B.C. routes are approved for reduced service levels, plus the eliminated route to Mount Washington, which Greyhound estimated would save about $6.75 million per year. For more information on the decision, including a full list of affected routes, visit www.ptboard.bc.ca.

Nanaimo News Bulletin