'I'm fully committed': B.C. minister of transportation to go into talks with Greyhound Canada

B.C. Transportation Minister ClaireTrevenasays she is set to meet with Greyhound Canada in the coming weeks to discuss the company's decision topull passenger service out of parts of rural B.C due to a lack of profitability.

"Our government is determined to ensure that people living in rural areas are able to fully participate in all aspects of life, and that means travelling," said Trevena.

"I'm fully committed to ensuringwe find a way for people to travel, so they don't get stranded."

Speaking during CBC's Daybreak North, Trevena said she first learned of the company's decision in late August after itfiled an application to the B.C. Passenger Transportation Board to end all its bus runs in northern British Columbia.

Beyond meeting with the Dallas-basedGreyhound company, Trevenasaid transportation needs in northern regions will be addressed during the Union of B.C.Municipalities (UBCM) conference which runs Sept. 23 - 27.

"I'll meet with mayors in the region and I know they're meeting collectively as well to come up with a common approach," said Trevena. "I think we'll be able to try and find something to deal with Greyhound and needs in the North."

Earlier this year, Greyhound threatened to endnorthern routes after the province announced a subsidized bus service along the Highway of Tears.Trevena said the carrier's status as a private company complicates talks between itand the province.

Talks with Greyhound are further complicated by the fact that the B.C. Passenger Transportation Board, which regulates the Greyhound service,is an independent tribunal outside direct provincial control.

Trevenasaid while she understands Greyhound's position that northern bus routes simply aren't profitable,the Transportation Board has a responsibility to look atsocial needs in the region when considering the company's application for withdrawal.

Trevenaacknowledgedthe huge impact to northern communities Greyhound's withdrawal would have, and, for that reason, she says provincial subsidizationof the company, among other measures,is not out of the question.

"It's a matter of talking with communities,finding out what the needs are and if there are alternatives to Greyhound."

Going forward, Trevenasaid her ministry's focus isfirmly fixed on finding a solution to the current northern transportation problem.

With files from Daybreak North