This Greyhound’s Going, Going … Gone?
Posted on | September 9, 2009 | No Comments
Greyhound Canada, a subsidiary of the largest North American intercity bus company, has recently been wringing its hands and threatening to shut down bus service in many rural communities in northern Ontario, Manitoba, and even Alberta in an attempt to secure funds from the federal government.
Apparently, all of Western Canada’s routes are in jeopardy.
Many rural, rurban and remote communities depend on bus service – not only as an important link to larger centers (e.g. for parcel delivery, access to health care, educational, and employment opportunities) – but also as an economic driver for many small businesses. And threatening to take away such vital transportation links are cheap tactics, at best.
Now, I’m realistic enough to understand that yes … some of these routes are probably not very profitable. And as a utility company, Greyhound should realize its obligation to encourage adequate and sufficient service as the public’s interest is involved. But as a Canadian taxpayer – one living in the rural-urban fringe, I might add – I don’t feel subsidies are the answer.
So … where are the alternatives?
The British and Dutch have interesting community models, whereby local authorities and commercial operators work together to offer community bus transportation services. The Dutch have even taken it a step further and have franchised some of these opportunities, thereby providing a viable business model to follow. The National Post wrote an op-ed calling for deregulation. And a West Coast entrepreneur has already proven that rural bus service can work.
Crisis is often a great motivator. And rural communities – more so than their urban counterparts - need to continually adapt, change, and reinvent themselves to remain relevant.
If your community was on the line, would you seize the opportunity?
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