Finding a replacement for Greyhound bus service in Western Canada should be a priority for all levels of government, Union of B.C. Municipalities delegates said Sept. 12.
Delegates at the Whistler annual conference voted to press for action on the transportation issue, saying the loss of bus service slated for Oct. 31 will reduce affordable transportation and hurt British Columbia’s economy.
That damage would come with the loss of a mode of goods and courier transportation, delegates heard.
“The loss of service will be serious for areas of B.C. where there are no airports and other transportation,” said Fraser-Fort George Regional District director Art Kaehn.
Delegates voted to lobby federal and provincial governments to work with local governments, regulators and transportation companies to replace Greyhound.
Greyhound Canada said July 9 it would cease operations in all provinces except Ontario and Quebec.
The decision to downsize was based on a ridership decline of 41 per cent sine 2010, the company said.
A UBCM special resolution said the bus service has “supported community resilience, diversity and competitiveness” and assisted economic growth.
B.C.’s Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Claire Trevana has called the situation “highly problematic.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has tasked Transport Minister Marc Garneau to work with the company and communities to find service options.
