The inter-city B.C. bus companies that carried on and expanded after Greyhound pulled out of Western Canada say they arenB次元官网网址檛 likely to make it through the COVID-19 pandemic without help from the B.C. and federal government.

B次元官网网址淭he motor coach industry across B.C. is down a minimum 95 per cent in gross revenue since March 1, 2020 and doesnB次元官网网址檛 expect a return to anything more than 50 per cent revenues in 2021,B次元官网网址� said John Wilson, president of Victoria-based WilsonB次元官网网址檚 Transportation Oct. 29.

WilsonB次元官网网址檚 is part of a newly formed B.C. Motor Coach Coalition, along with its subsidiary Tofino Bus, Bluestar Coachlines of Kelowna, Charter Bus Lines and Quick Coachlines based in Delta, Nanaimo-based Vancouver Island Coach Lines, Northern Spirit Transportation out of Prince George, International Stage Lines of Richmond, Kamloops-based Canada West Coachlines, CVS Tours of Victoria and Perimeter Transportation serving Vancouver, Whistler and Squamish.

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The coalition says the B.C. governmentB次元官网网址檚 small and medium business grant program is offering up to $40,000 for tourism-related businesses isnB次元官网网址檛 enough, and like other companies, some motor coach operators donB次元官网网址檛 qualify. OttawaB次元官网网址檚 assistance hasnB次元官网网址檛 been enough either, says David Holmes, general manager of Perimeter Transportation.

B次元官网网址淔ederal government programs such as Canada Emergency Wage Supplement arenB次元官网网址檛 sufficient or beneficial to an industry that is almost completely shut down due to government restrictions,B次元官网网址� Holmes said.

The coalition is seeking additional government grants or deferrable loans. The national group, Motor Coach Canada, estimates that a group travelling by motor coach generates $10,000 to $15,000 per day in spending on the local economy.

B次元官网网址淲e not only serve the tourism industry, but also youth groups, senior citizens, nonprofits, local sports teams, school groups and people at risk,B次元官网网址� said Brad Sidjak, general manager of International Stage Lines.

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WilsonB次元官网网址檚 was among the companies that expanded after Greyhound stopped service in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba in the fall of 2018. The B.C. Passenger Transportation Board issued a licence to WilsonB次元官网网址檚 to operate Vancouver-Kelowna and Vancouver-Kamloops service as Greyhound wound up its B.C. operations, with stops in Langley, Chilliwack and Merritt as well as its B.C. Ferries Connector service to Victoria.

tfletcher@blackpress.ca
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