Reduce or stop inter-city bus service
Inter-city bus (ICB) operators must apply to the Passenger Transportation Board (Board) to eliminate routes or route points set out in their licence.
To eliminate routes or route points, ICB operators must:
- Submit a public rationale document. The Board will publish the rationale document with the application summary posted on the Board’s website
- Meet Board requirements to provide public notice to affected communities and people accessing the service
Operators may not eliminate routes or route points before they are approved by the Board. If the Board approves a service change, operators must first meet requirements that are set out in the Board decision to notify the public of the changes.
Make sure you understand the application process. It explains how the Board uses the evidence you provide in your application to make a decision.
Minimum route frequency
ICB licensees are no longer required to apply to the Board to reduce their minimum route frequency (MRF), as long as they maintain an active level of service.
In November 2023, the Board revised its Inter-City Bus Minimum Route Frequency policy for ICB licensees in B.C. These changes were intended to make sure ICB operators continue to operate a basic level of service while providing enhanced flexibility to adjust their MRF.
The Board created the new policy, which will replace the ICB COVID-19 policy expiring on December 31, 2023, rather than revert back to the previously established MRF policy. Background, highlighted changes, and more information can be found in the Board’s News and updates section.
Checklist
Eliminate inter-city bus route or route point
Forms
- Special authorization licence application (Registrar form)
- Signing authority (Registrar form)
- Inter-city bus authorization application summary(235 KB)
- Inter-city bus route worksheet(659 KB) (each route you are going to eliminate or change)
- Disclosure of unlawful activity & bankruptcy(655 KB)
- Declarations & consent(573 KB)
Attachments
- Business plan
- Financial information
- All Applicants: Cash flow projections (36 months) and income statements
- Established Companies: Balance sheet
- Sole Proprietors or Partnerships: Personal net worth statements
- Public need indicators
- A public rationale document detailing why the elimination of the route or route point is requested (this will be posted by the Board with the application summary in the bulletin)
- A copy of the public notice provided to affected communities and people accessing the service
- Sample ICB time schedules (for each route you are changing but still running)
Final step
- Submit your completed application package to the Registrar’s Office at CPV@gov.bc.ca.