The chances are dimming for realization of a privately-run bus service connecting Prince George to the Lower Mainland.
Gene Field of Merritt Shuttle Bus Service Ltd. said the Passenger Transportation Board has given him until Friday to get at least two buses licenced and insured or relinquish a permit to provide the service.
"I don't think it's going to happen," Field said Wednesday.
MSBS was among a half-dozen applicants that won PTB permission in November to run long-haul services across B.C. It was granted through an expedited process in advance of Greyhound Canada pulling out of Western Canada.
The plan was to run eight 22-passenger shuttle-sized buses along four routes centred on Merritt but also serving Prince George, Langley, Kamloops and Kelowna. Frequency of service along those routes would been at least three round trips a week.
MSBS had also won permission to run four 48-passenger buses twice a day between the Highland Valley Copper Mine and Merritt and Kamloops.
But since then, Field has had trouble securing investors and a bid to getting funding from various public bodies has fallen through. Added to his woes, his partner in the venture suddenly died last week.
Field said he had asked for an extension to the start of May to give him time to restructure the business following his partner's death but was turned down.
"A miracle could happen between now and Friday but that's two days, so I don't know," Field said.
