Those travelling by bus between Victoria and Nanaimo could find themselves passengers of Wilson’s Transportation instead of Greyhound.
Island-based Wilson’s Transportation Ltd. has applied to the provincial Passenger Transportation Board to operate a Victoria-Nanaimo route.
John Wilson, president and owner of the company, said the plans are to offer a minimum of one morning run from Victoria to Nanaimo and return trip later in the day.
Depending on seasonal demand, service could be increased, he said.
The application comes less than six months after Greyhound Canada said it wanted to eliminate its route between Victoria and Nanaimo, along with several routes serving Northern B.C. and the Southern Interior.
“This move [taking over the Victoria-Nanaimo route] is now just a natural transition for us,” Wilson said.
“If Greyhound isn’t going to operate the bus, we should try and make that work for us within our other programs.”
The Passenger Transportation Board has not made a decision on Greyhound’s bid to stop running between Victoria and Nanaimo.
If it is approved, the company will operate only freight service on the Island.
Peter Hamel, Greyhound Canada’s regional vice-president for Western Canada, said that until a decision is made, his company will continue to operate the passenger buses.
In a telephone interview from Winnipeg, Hamel said competition on the Victoria-Nanaimo route is just too fierce. Tofino Bus and Island Link Bus operate there and even B.C. Transit offers an inter-community service. Most recently, ride-sharing services have hit passenger bus lines hard.
He said that the average number of passengers per trip along the Victoria-Nanaimo route has dropped below 10, from about 17 in 2013.
Wilson’s Transportation was founded in the 1960s as a trucking company and runs a number of other passenger-bus services, including shuttles to the Victoria and Vancouver international airports and from the cruise ship terminal at Ogden Point. By linking them up and engaging in cross-marketing, the company believes it can make the Victoria-Nanaimo route profitable.
As part of its application, Wilson’s Transportation is also seeking to expand its Victoria-to-Vancouver passenger service, which it took over from Pacific Coach Lines about two years ago.
Public feedback on the application closes today. It will then go to a board member to study and provide information to other board members to assist in a final decision. There is not a set timeline for the process.
