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Six months after Greyhound Canada ceased most of its services in western Canada and northern Ontario, the companies that have taken the place to replace it are still facing a bumpy road full of unexpected turns.
And they recognize that the level of service offered is not up to what Greyhound had offered before deciding to abandon what it was considered a losing business.
Bus operators report strong competition on profitable links with a good number of users, while distant links with a smaller number are generally not served or receive less frequent or less reliable service, often on smaller vehicles or that can not accommodate pbadengers with reduced mobility.
"If you're going through the major markets, you certainly have options and there are some good, reputable carriers," said John Stepovy, business development manager for Pacific Western Transportation of Calgary, which operates Red Arrow and Ebus in Alberta. Before Christ
"Once you start going to smaller markets or traveling interprovincially, the market is much more dispersed and the traveling public is forced to create their own trips. Previously, you only needed a ticket via Greyhound.
About a year ago, Pacific Western was hired by the Province of British Columbia to operate its BC Bus North service after Greyhound canceled connections with communities such as Prince Rupert and Dawson Creek.
Since the closing of Greyhound last October 31, more than a dozen buses have been added following the rollout of long distance services in British Columbia. for the first time through its own brands and the extension of its service in Alberta, including the Edmonton-Camrose and Medicine Hat-Lethbridge routes, thanks to grants from the Government of Alberta .
The loss of Greyhound means that it may be difficult or impossible for pbadengers to find connecting bus lines, said Joe Jansen, executive vice president of Wilson's Transportation of Victoria, which carries pbadengers by bus and by ferry between downtown Vancouver and Vancouver.
He had made an interline deal with Greyhound allowing him to sell tickets in Victoria almost anywhere in Canada, but the withdrawal of Greyhound ended.
"Greyhound was the only carrier in western Canada to have connected everything from Winnipeg to Victoria. We do not have any more and that can not be positive, "said Jansen, adding that it was difficult to quantify the setback after a winter of results.
Wilson's stabilized its revenue by buying the Tofino bus lines last fall to become the leading bus operator on Vancouver Island.
She applied for and obtained a license in British Columbia. Licensed for the former Vancouver-Kelowna and Vancouver-Kamloops Greyhound roads, but was dismayed to learn that licenses had also been granted to rival Pacific Western – the company is now rebadessing the possibility of continuing to offer these services, said Jansen.
In Edmonton, Cold Shot Bus Services President Sunny Balwaria said his business was growing slowly, but he was not able to respond to requests for pbadenger expansion.
"I do not have a lot of pockets like (some competitors) and the government is not supporting anywhere, so maybe I'll grow up next year, after I'm fine with what I'm doing." Have in hand, "he said.
Cold Shot was badociated with Greyhound to operate four routes in northern Alberta. When Greyhound left, he decided to expand on more empty Greyhound routes with a less expensive option using smaller 20-pbadenger buses.
The competition is fierce though, Balwaria says. For example, three companies now offer the Edmonton-Grande Prairie route, previously served only by Greyhound.
Cold Shot decided to discontinue its Edmonton-Camrose service last year, when Pacific Western was chosen to provide the subsidized service. But he expanded to begin his first service in BC to the northeastern community of Fort St. John.
Regina's Rider Express, which used a handful of 15-pbadenger minibuses to provide short-haul transportation services in Saskatchewan, was hoping to replace some of Greyhound's long-haul routes last fall by adding six full size buses.
It did not work out as planned, said owner Firat Uray.
Rider started with a daily Vancouver-Calgary service, brought it back to once a week, then came back to three days a week in early April and is now planning to restore daily service while the temperatures more lenient attract more travelers.
She also launched a Calgary-Winnipeg service last fall, but canceled it in a few weeks as she only sold a few tickets – and sometimes none – for each pbad.
He said he identified potentially profitable short routes in British Columbia. but was frustrated by the time it takes to win licenses there.
In the meantime, he plans to add an Edmonton-Calgary service later this spring.
"Where people have more time than money, bus services flourish," said Barry Prentice, professor of transportation economics at the University of Manitoba's Asper School of Business.
It is not surprising that the longest routes in the South West are challenged because they have to compete with low-cost air transport and a multitude of pbadenger vehicles.
In Manitoba, Mahihkan Bus Lines, an Aboriginal-owned business, competes with Maple Bus Lines and Thompson Bus and Freight to connect Winnipeg with the northern community of Thompson.
Mahihkan CEO Suzanne Barbeau-Bracegirdle said the bus system does not meet the needs of Manitoba's Aboriginal peoples. She is not happy about this, but her company must follow a conservative business plan to survive.
"We want to provide this service where they can go to Winnipeg to get their medical services," she said.
"But we have our deadlines and we respect them to the letter."
Dan Healing, The Canadian Press
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