Greyhound Canada has announced that it is scaling back its operations and ending passenger bus and freight services in most of Western Canada.
Greyhound, with its iconic running dog logo, said it will cease operations in the provinces of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, and cancel all but one route in British Columbia — a U.S.-run service between the cities of Vancouver and Seattle. The changes take effect at the end of October, which will make Ontario and Quebec the only regions where Greyhound will continue operating in Canada.
“This decision is regretful and we sympathize with the fact that many small towns are going to lose bus service,” said Greyhound Canada Senior Vice-President Stuart Kendrick in a news release. “But simply put, the issue that we have seen is the routes in rural parts of Canada — specifically Western Canada — are just not sustainable anymore.”
Greyhound said 415 people will be out of work due to the operational changes, and the company estimates the decision will impact roughly two million consumers. Greyhound blamed a 41% decline in ridership since 2010, persistent competition from subsidized national and inter-regional passenger transportation services, the growth of low-cost airlines, regulatory constraints and the growth of car ownership.
The company said that it has raised concerns with provincial and federal officials over the years and wanted to ensure both levels of government were aware of the situation. Greyhound Canada has advocated for a community funding model to allow any private carrier to bid on essential rural bus services.
All Greyhound routes in Ontario and Quebec will continue to operate except for one – the Trans-Canada, which links several small communities between Winnipeg and Sudbury.
