Tofino Bus Services Inc. wants to fill the transportation void that Greyhound will create if it is permitted to implement service cuts to Campbell River and other island destinations.
Tofino Bus President Dylan Green says: “We are the little bus that could and we need the public’s help as we apply to fill a service void proposed by Greyhound Canada for Island routes.”
Greyhound has applied to B.C.’s Passenger Transportation Board to reduce services on two well‐travelled daily and weekend routes between Campbell River, Courtenay and Nanaimo and between Nanaimo, Duncan and Victoria. If approved, this would mean only one daily route to the North Island, one fewer route to Victoria, and lost connections to the west coast of the Island.
Green says: “Tofino Bus wishes to avoid this reduction of services by broadening its current service model and providing one daily service on each of the affected routes. This would guarantee the maintenance of service to the Campbell River area while also connecting with the Island’s west coast and the broader Tofino Bus network including BC Ferries.”
The president of the regional carrier was submitting his application to the Passenger Transportation Board last Thursday and is hoping the public will help him make the case that there is a “public need” for his service.
“It should not be too hard to establish a public need,” Green says, “because the trips Greyhound wants to cancel to and from Campbell River are carrying an average of 18 to 20 passengers each way.”
“Tofino Bus is well positioned to adapt to seasonal fluctuations in ridership with its combined fleet of smaller buses and large coaches. A local rather than a national model is more sustainable over the long term,” Green says.
Greyhound wants to cut the daily 8.15 a.m. bus from Campbell River to Nanaimo via Courtenay and the 3:10 p.m. bus from Nanaimo to Campbell River via Parksville and Courtenay.
It has also applied to halt Friday and Sunday weekend service at 5:30 p.m. from Campbell River to Nanaimo and at 9:30 p.m. from Nanaimo to Campbell River.
Tofino Bus is applying to offer a 9 a.m. Campbell River to Nanaimo trip and 3 p.m. Nanaimo to Campbell River trip seven days a week.
Green says he needs individuals and businesses to voice their support to the Passenger Transportation Board by way of the Tofino Bus website at www.tofinobus.com/support or by reaching the board directly at ptboard@gov.bc.ca. The deadline for public submissions on Greyhound’s bid was Oct. 24.
