EDMONTON — Proposed service cuts by Greyhound and a request for a subsidy are driving a big change in bus service in Alberta.
Starting Oct. 1, the provincial government is opening up inter-city bus service to any company that meets safety and commercial vehicle requirements.
The new policy ends a regulated service that gave Greyhound Canada rights to provide bus service to many communities with little or no competition.
Transportation Minister Luke Ouellette says this system is no longer economically viable and there was a risk that Greyhound would cut service to some remote communities.
Officials say most rural communities are on board with the change and the government will provide more information about the policy next month.
Greyhound Canada officials are aware of the policy change but were not immediately available for comment.
In 2009, Greyhound requested annual subsidies worth $15 million from provincial governments and threatened to pull out of northern Ontario and all of Manitoba.