The ongoing closure of the iconic West Coast Trail is causing long-term impacts for a Vancouver Island transportation company.

In a typical year, the West Coast Trail Express shuttles hikers and explorers to trail heads between Victoria and Nanaimo. But this year, the COVID-19 pandemic closed the West Coast Trail, effectively putting a pin in revenues for the bus company.

In May, Parks Canada announced that Pacific Rim National Park Reserve would beginning opening parks to visitors starting June 4 but the West Coast Trail would remain closed B次元官网网址� a decision that would hold firm until there was unanimous decisions from the three First Nations along the trail: Bamfield-area Huu-ay-aht, the Ditidaht, who are based around Nitinat Lake, and the Port Renfrew-area Pacheedaht.

Despite the impact on his business, Michael Anderson, owner of West Coast Trail Express, supports the closure. He says he not only understands why the trail was closed, but would have likely made the same choice.

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B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 think I would have decided differently. I canB次元官网网址檛 be blaming anyone or be upset about that, itB次元官网网址檚 completely understandable,B次元官网网址� he says. B次元官网网址淏ut that doesnB次元官网网址檛 change things. ThereB次元官网网址檚 no way I could have planned for this.B次元官网网址�

At the beginning of the season, when uncertainty seemed to be the only certainty, Anderson hired staff and did maintenance on his vehicles setting the company back $50,000 to $60,000.

B次元官网网址淛ust when the last bus was ready, thatB次元官网网址檚 when the situation happened in early March,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淢y bookings stopped and the refunds started.B次元官网网址�

The Juan de Fuca trail opened in June, and Anderson started shuttling a meagre one or two hikers along the Victoria-Port Renfrew route. HeB次元官网网址檚 hopeful to break even by the end of the season.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e already written this season off, IB次元官网网址檓 not going to make any money,B次元官网网址� he says, adding that he will continue to operate until Sept. 7. B次元官网网址淚 still feel like itB次元官网网址檚 my responsibility to cover that trail if I can.B次元官网网址�

Anderson plans to push on in hopes the trail reopens for the 2021 season.

B次元官网网址淢y hope is, the trail opens and everythingB次元官网网址檚 back to normal and we have all our international visitors. If not, there may be enough Canadian business to cover it, but that remains to be seen. IB次元官网网址檓 not optimistic about that.B次元官网网址�

Even if Canadians are using the trail, it doesnB次元官网网址檛 mean charters and shuttles will operate. With all the expenses involved in maintenance and insurance, the buses need to be close to full and Anderson expects hard decisions will need to be made.

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With files from Zoe Ducklow.

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