Low-cost bus company pitches plan for Kamloops, Okanagan routes

A low-cost intercity bus company is making strides to enter the Okanagan market.

Flixbus is looking to run buses through Vernon, Kelowna, and Kamloops, connecting the Okanagan with Calgary and Vancouver.

The international company, which runs buses in 40 countries around the world under various names, is preparing to make an application to the BC Passenger Transportation Board and has asked the City of Vernon to support its application.

“The BC Passenger Transportation Board has consistently emphasized that local government perspectives carry particular weight in their deliberations,” the company said in a letter to Vernon council. “They recognize that local elected officials have unique insight into their communities’ genuine needs and challenges. Your support would help demonstrate that the need for restored intercity bus service extends beyond individual voices to the community leadership level.”

The company wants to run buses through its subsidiary Greyhound Lines, which currently runs between Vancouver and Seattle, as well as numerous routes in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Ontario.

It’s unclear how long it would take to get approval from the BC Passenger Transportation Board, but the process doesn’t appear easy.

Last month, Alberta-based bus company Rider Express were denied a licence to run its Kelowna to Calgary service all year round. Currently, Rider Express’ licence doesn’t permit it to run from October to April.

Ebus currently runs from Kelowna to Calgary and opposed the application.

The application appears to have taken two years to process and while Rider Express wanted to expand throughout the winter, citing customer demand, the BC Passenger Transportation Board wouldn’t allow it.

“There was no information as to how the proposed service would improve innovation, sustainability and variety. And where public need has not been proven, it is hard to see how the service would promote healthy competition instead of jeopardizing the existing market,” the BC Passenger Transportation Board said in Sept. 22 decision.

There is no timeline in Flixbus’ letter for when it would like to see services up and running, but the company said it would have buses on the road within one month of getting its licence.