485 replies to this topic

[G-Man]

Well that is a ridiculous route. I mean really you get on the bus in Nanaimo for ten minutes to Departure Bay ride the ferry and then ride the bus for another ten minutes into town. Why bother premium service is really only worth while when the ride is longer. The PCL to Vancouver is useful because of the distance only.

[aastra]

Sounds as if the average PCL "overflow" bus between Victoria/Vancouver was getting as many passengers as the regular Greyhound service between Nanaimo/Vancouver.

(Those "overflow" buses don't board the ferry, of course.)

[VicHockeyFan]

https://www.islandli...com/contact.asp

This bus service appears to operate, but for the love of God, it's near impossible to get an overview of fares, routes or schedules from that website.

Brutal.

To make matters worse, they run print ads that give no information, other than to point to that website.

[Mike K.]

Just click on the Schedule, Availability and Price Inquiry link, select whether you want to travel today or at some point in the future, then choose your origin and destination. You'll see a list of options available to you and once selected you are presented with the fare.

[VicHockeyFan]

Just click on the Schedule, Availability and Price Inquiry link, select whether you want to travel today or at some point in the future, then choose your origin and destination. You'll see a list of options available to you and once selected you are presented with the fare.

Yes, I know that I can do that, but to get an OVERVIEW without getting specific, there is no route map, times, fares etc. It's not user-friendly at all.

[Mike K.]

A routemap is on the homepage but times and fares require using the scheduling tool.

[VicHockeyFan]

A routemap is on the homepage but times and fares require using the scheduling tool.

True. But that route map is of little use if you don't even know even roughly what days/times it runs or any idea of the cost. It's a new(ish) service, people would probably like to know why they would pay less/more for it than the old standby Greyhound.

It also seems to have a novel concept in that it takes you from Nanaimo to the Skytrain stations in Vancouver directly. But again, you have to try a variety of times/dates to see if it might work for you.

[Mike K.]

Yeah I see what you're saying. It is a convoluted system of picks points, dropoff points and options in between.

[Powerforward]

Wasn't there a proposal years ago to move the bus depot to the parking lot across the street from the Times Colonist building? Anyone know the reason why it didn't happen?

[Mike K.]

There was a proposal to move the depot across the street from Capital Iron, that I know for sure, but the proposal to move it across from the TC building I'm not familiar with.

Whatever the case, plans to expand the Empress hotel were scrapped and this gave the existing bus depot a lifeline. For how long entirely depends on the Empress' future expansion plans.

[Powerforward]

Ok, thanks. I do remember the Capital Iron idea now. For some reason I thought of the TC building. Anyway, that depot is so undersized, even Nanaimo's is bigger.

[Holden West]

Wasn't there a proposal years ago to move the bus depot to the parking lot across the street from the Times Colonist building? Anyone know the reason why it didn't happen?

Yes, a depot in the parking lot across from the TC was proposed ten years ago. It died a couple of years later. The various partners involved (property owners, Greyhound/PCL) couldn't agree on the deal and a few NIMBY business owners didn't like the idea of a bus depot crowding their neighbourhood. It also would have housed a restaurant and retail shops. The site beside Sports Traders came a couple years later--2006.

[Powerforward]

Yes, a depot in the parking lot across from the TC was proposed ten years ago. It died a couple of years later. The various partners involved (property owners, Greyhound/PCL) couldn't agree on the deal and a few NIMBY business owners didn't like the idea of a bus depot crowding their neighbourhood. It also would have housed a restaurant and retail shops. The site beside Sports Traders came a couple years later--2006.

Thanks, I thought there was some proposal years ago to bring the depot there. I'm kinda surprised the business people didn't want something other than a parking lot as a neighbor.

[VicHockeyFan]

Greyhound Canada wants to eliminate bus service from Victoria to Mount Washington and reduce the number of trips between some other centres on Vancouver Island, citing a drop in passenger numbers and other factors.

News to me that they even did that route.

Greyhound plans to cut ski-hill service

[JohnN]

Tofino Bus wants to expand routes

Company would take over two routes threatened by Greyhound changes

JULIE BERTRAND
Alberni Valley Times
30 Oct. 2012, p.3

Tofino Bus president Dylan Green would like to add service to two Greyhound bus routes on Vancouver Island. Earlier this month, the Passenger Transportation Board of British Columbia made public Greyhound’s application to reduce minimum route frequency on 15 B.C. routes, including on two daily and weekend routes between Campbell River, Courtenay, Nanaimo and between Nanaimo, Duncan and Victoria. If the board approves the application, Greyhound would only have one scheduled departure per day to and from Campbell River and one fewer departure per day to and from Victoria.

Read more from the GVPL Press Display Digital Editions portal to Alberni Valley Times:
Greater Victoria Public Library

SUPPORT TOFINO BUS APPLICATION TO TAKE ON GREYHOUND ISLAND ROUTES:
Support our New Bus Route! - Tofino Bus - Island Express

[Mike K.]

With the decline in PCL service and no doubt fewer buses needing to use the downtown bus depot in general, what does that mean for a future facility? I mean its not like it's a growth sector or anything.

Now that Bosa owns the bus depot land the question is what could they be planning for the depot?

[VicHockeyFan]

I maintain such a facility is no longer necessary.  Online purchasing has eliminated the need for a ticket sales window.  Folks should be able to board buses just like they board a city bus.

[lanforod]

^ and a simple ticket kiosk is all thats needed for those who can't do online for some reason or another.

[VicHockeyFan]

^ and a simple ticket kiosk is all thats needed for those who can't do online for some reason or another.

 

What reason would that be?  I can't use a $50 bill to board a city bus, so I find a way to get change.  Many (most?) people can't do their own taxes, but they find a way to get them done.  I trust humanity can find a way to direct a bus passenger to buy a prepaid Visa card and go online and book.  Failing all of that, a Greyhound driver still takes cash at remote stops between stations every single day.

[lanforod]

Well, cash accepted on the bus would be another way, sure.

There are still folks who don't have/use the Internet. Perhaps you don't have time, last minute trip, and don't have a smart phone as well... etc.