An Edmonton businessperson working on establishing a new bus service to Vancouver is looking for community input for his licensing application.
Mark Nuttall, who grew up in Powell River, said he is working on establishing an inter-city bus service to fill the gap left after Malaspina Coach Lines ceased operations in September.
Nuttall is looking for letters of support from community members who would use the service. As part of the process, he also is looking for information on how much it would be used and why residents believe a service is needed.
“It’s obviously needed,” he said. “If we keep the bussing simple and don’t overextend, it should work.”
Before Nuttall can get a bus service rolling he needs to get approval from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructures’s Passenger Transportation Branch board. Approval could take anywhere from 30 days to six months, according to Nuttall.
“It just depends on what they think the importance of it is,” he said. “It’s the first step to get anything going.”
If he receives the go-ahead, Nuttall said he plans to buy a bus and run a reduced service from what was previously offered by Malaspina.
In order to have his application approved Nuttall will have to show a public need for the service, that he is capable of providing it and that it will promote sound economic conditions in the passenger-transportation business.
Nuttall has experience as a long-haul truck and charter-bus driver and currently owns and operates a tow-truck business in Edmonton. He said when he heard about problems with Malaspina’s service he saw it as an opportunity to step and help.
Meanwhile, Powell River Regional District (PRRD) continues to look at the feasibility of setting up a temporary, inter-city bus link and one resident has created a petition to illustrate the importance of the service for seniors and residents with low incomes.
Daniel Rajala told PRRD directors he is very concerned about the transportation gap and its affect on his lifestyle and ability to travel outside of Powell River.
“This is an essential service,” said Rajala. “We can’t forget about it and say it’s okay if it comes back in a year.”
Rajala has been circulating a petition in support of reinstating a bus service and has collected 83 signatures so far. Rajala explained to directors that affordable travel is necessary and those with lower incomes are more challenged to travel outside the Upper Sunshine Coast.
PRRD staff have made contact with Sunshine Coast Regional District, but there has not been any indication yet whether the idea of an inter-city bus route will be supported.
Patrick Brabazon, PRRD board chairperson, estimated if the service could be established it could take the regional district as long as a year to get it started.
Brabazon said the board would welcome a private operator such as Nuttall to step forward and provide the service.
