September 2, 2020 Press Release – The Passenger Transportation Board Approves the Application Submitted by Tofino Bus Services Incorporated to Eliminate its Route between Campbell River and Port Hardy The Passenger Transportation Board is an independent licensing tribunal with a mandate to make decisions on applications relating to inter-city bus as well as ride-hail, taxi and limousine authorizations. The Board has approved the application submitted by Tofino Bus Services Incorporated (Tofino Bus) to eliminate its route between Campbell River and Port Hardy. The Board’s decision was based on the findings below. o The evidence provided by Tofino Bus and submitters demonstrated low ridership on the Campbell River / Port Hardy route. o The Board found that the low ridership numbers presented by Tofino Bus indicated insufficient demand to support public need for the service. o The Board found that if Tofino Bus continued to operate the route segment, this could have a negative impact on the viability of Tofino Bus on Vancouver Island. The decision was made after a careful review of the materials received during the application process which included supporting information and evidence provided by the applicant and over 30 submissions from interested members of the public, local governments and local Health Authorities. Due to COVID- 19, Tofino Bus ceased operating the Campbell River to Port Hardy route in March 2020. The Board has received an application from Port Hardy based Waivin Flags Ltd for a license to operate an inter-city bus between Campbell River and Port Hardy three times a week in each direction. This application is still before the Board and a final decision has not yet been reached. A copy of the decision can be viewed in the PT Board Bulletin of September 2, 2020. More Info: • Q&As: Attached • PT Board Bus Webpage: Inter-city bus policies, processes and recent applications • Media Questions: Please contact Kamran Shaikh of PR Associates at [email protected] or by telephone at 778.846.5406. Attachment Questions & Answers GENERAL 1. Why did the Board approve the application from Tofino Bus to eliminate its route between Campbell River and Port Hardy? • The evidence provided by Tofino Bus and submitters demonstrated low ridership on the Campbell River / Port Hardy route. • The Board found this indicated Insufficient demand to support public need for the service. • The Board found that if Tofino Bus continued to operate the route, this could have a negative impact on the viability of Tofino Bus on Vancouver Island. 2. How often did Tofino Bus operate its route between Campbell River and Port Hardy? • Tofino Bus was required in its terms and conditions of license approved by the Board to operate one bus in each direction daily. 3. Has Tofino Bus been operating the Campbell River to Port Hardy route during the pandemic? • No, Tofino Bus ceased operating the Campbell River to Port Hardy route in March 2020. • In order to provide inter-city bus operators the flexibility they need to respond quickly to public safety and transportation needs as they change during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, licensees were provided the temporary option to reduce or suspend scheduled services that they are normally required to provide. 4. How does the Board know that Tofino Bus was losing money on the route between Campbell River and Port Hardy? • Applicants are required to submit an Income Statement, Balance Sheet and 36-month cash flow projections and the Board reviewed these in detail before making its decision. 5. Who were the submitters to the application? • The Board received and considered 33 submissions in total i. 29 people ii. 1 from the Mayor of Port McNeill iii. 1 from the Mayor of Port Hardy iv. 1 from the Chair of the Regional District of Mount Waddington v. 1 from the Mount Waddington Health Network 6. What did the submitters say? • Information on the submissions can be seen in the decision which is posted in the PT Board Bulletin of September 2, 2020. 2 Attachment 7. Has the Board received applications from other operators looking to fill the void left by Tofino Bus? • The Board has received an application from Waivin Flags Ltd. for a license to operate an inter-city bus between Port Hardy and Campbell River 3 times a week in each direction. • This application is still before the Board and a final decision has not yet been reached. • Waivin Flags Ltd. is based in Port Hardy and the company currently has a license with a passenger directed vehicle authorization which provides it authority to deliver taxi service and a general authorization which provides it authority to deliver charter or tour bus services set by the operator. 8. Why is the Board continuing to issue decisions in the midst of COVID-19? • Despite the pandemic, many inter-city bus companies continue to operate due to public demand. • The Board has a legal responsibility to inter-city bus companies and the public to continue to make decisions for existing operators that may need to change their terms and conditions of license or new operators that wish to provide new services for the public. • In order to provide inter-city bus operators the flexibility they need to respond quickly to public safety and transportation needs as they change during the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, licensees were provided the temporary option to reduce or suspend scheduled services that they are normally required to provide. 3 .