Proposal to cut Greyhound’s service now in board’s hands

VICTORIA (NEWS1130) – We should know by the end of January whether Greyhound will be able to cut services to 15 of its 19 routes in BC.

The decision is now in the hands of the Passenger Transportation Board.

The board has received about 160 comments from businesses, civic leaders and passengers over the controversial idea, which would slash some Greyhound runs by half.

Board director Jan Broocke admits the application is an extensive one. “We’ve never had an application from Greyhound where they’ve applied for service changes on as many routes,” she explains.

She says the board has to weigh two factors.

“Basically the board considers what level of service will meet public need. Another thing the board will look at is the financial health of the applicant.”

And the financial health of Greyhound is a prime reason why the company wants to reduce service.

It lost $14 million on its BC routes last year alone, mostly because of higher fuel costs and reduced ridership.

But mayors in the Interior, the north and on Vancouver Island say people in more remote areas of the province rely heavily on Greyhound services.