Whitehorse Daily Star

Greyhound ‘reviewing our options’

The Star reported Thursday that Greyhound Canada’s application to discontinue passenger bus service on its Whitehorse-Dawson Creek, B.C. route had been approved by the B.C. Passenger Transportation Board (PTB).

By Taylor Blewett on February 23, 2018

The Star reported Thursday that Greyhound Canada’s application to discontinue passenger bus service on its Whitehorse-Dawson Creek, B.C. route had been approved by the B.C. Passenger Transportation Board (PTB).

The story reported that Greyhound’s Yukon service would end no earlier than June 1 of this year, and that any prior service reduction or subsequent service termination would have to satisfy specific public notice requirements.

Greyhound has since clarified that it only applied to eliminate its service on the portion of the route between Dawson Creek and the Yukon border.

The PTB’s jurisdiction does not extend to the Yukon. Its decision on the route’s service and associated conditions do not apply to the Yukon portion of the route.

The territory does not have an equivalent regulatory body to which Greyhound need apply to discontinue or reduce its service here.

The company has been waiting for the PTB decision to determine the future of its Yukon service. It could have terminated or reduced the service at any time, and reserves the right to do so.

There is also no requirement that Greyhound inform the public about any decisions to reduce or terminate its Yukon service.

Peter Hamel, Greyhound’s regional vice-president for Western Canada, emphasized Thursday afternoon – after the publication deadline – that the company has not made any decisions about a specific end date for or reduction to the Yukon service as of yet.

“We’re reviewing our options right now,” he told the Star.

While the company isn’t technically required to, “we will give ample notification to the public, proper authorities and government officials on what our intent is after we’ve had a complete review of the application response,” Hamel said.

Greyhound’s freight service in and out of the territory will continue.

Hamel said ongoing contract negotiations prevent him from sharing specific details about the partnerships that will allow this service to survive.

“What I just can tell you is that our intent here is seamless transportation of the freight, with no impact along this corridor.”

Comments (4)

Up 0 Down 0

jeff on May 16, 2018 at 7:56 pm

After June 1 best option is Fly to Edmonton then take bus to Grande Prairie or Peace River..bus service still operates to there. Could be cheaper depending on Air North's fare.

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My Opinion on Feb 27, 2018 at 6:13 pm

All the people on the no fly list are stuck now. That includes a bunch of the drug dealing gang bangers. Haha

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jeff on Feb 26, 2018 at 3:17 pm

Best way to get to Peace River, Fly Air North to Edmonton and bus to Peace River.

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Terry-Lynn on Feb 23, 2018 at 6:09 pm

I am deeply saddened upon hearing this news! I am an avid user of the greyhound bus route from Whitehorse to Grande Prairie Alberta. It is the cheapest n safest way for me to go home n see my family in Peace River!! The cost of living alone in the Yukon is out weighed by how much it is to travel outside the territory. It’s crazy how much we pay to live in such a beautiful Northern Territory n yet can’t afford to travel outside of it

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