uwstudent.org

Student Transportation of Canada Inc. has applied for a scheduled service licence that would allow them to continue offering Fed Bus service after this term. Greyhound has filed opposition to the licence as part of the process.

The Ontario Highway Transport Board ruled earlier this month that operating Fed Bus under a charter licence contravened the Public Vehicles Act and ordered the service to cease by 31 July 2006. The ruling was initiated by a complaint from Greyhound Canada Transportation Limited against STC and Federation of Students. Greyhound currently provides scheduled service between University of Waterloo campus and Toronto.

STC VP Canadian Operations Ted Wilson is meeting with Feds today to discuss their presentation to the OHTB at the hearing on 24 and 25 July.

When asked about how service would change Wilson said, "There will be some changes. It will be very similar to how things work now." He said that will be part of his discussions with Feds today as they develop the business plan for the hearing.

He said that they will need student support for the application, including some students from each of the routes the licence woud cover. Fed Bus has offered service to London, Hamilton, sometimes Ottawa, and points in the GTA.

"We need at least 60 students to come and testify on our behalf," said WIlson adding, "We need a lot of support on this."

Greyhound Canada GM of Eastern Canada Lew Aldrich said that Greyhound has already filed opposition to the application.

"We service the campus with regularly scheduled service," he said.

Greyhound has offered to provide bus service from campus with the same schedule as the Fed Bus. "We have notified the university that we will offer service at the same times and same points [as Fed Bus] starting in September," he said.

When asked how STC getting a licence would affect Greyhounds plans, Aldrich said, "They will be going ahead."

• Transport board shuts down Fed Bus uws 08 May 2006