Citing sustained ridership declines in Ontario and Quebec and a lack of government support, Greyhound Canada has discontinued all operations on its remaining routes in Ontario and Quebec and permanently closed all services in Canada effective May 13. The move comes after more than 90 years serving as a “lifeline” for many Canadian communities.

The company says the announcement has no impact on Greyhound Lines’ operations within the United States as Greyhound Lines, Inc. (USA) is a separate entity from Greyhound Canada.

The former will continue to operate cross-border express services on the following routes when the border reopens:

• Toronto to New York
• Toronto to Buffalo
• Montreal to New York
• Montreal to Boston
• Vancouver to Seattle

However, all domestic Ontario and Quebec routes that were temporarily suspended in May 2020 have now permanently ceased, including:

• Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal
• Toronto-London-Windsor
• Sudbury-Ottawa/Toronto
• Toronto-Kitchener/Guelph/Cambridge
• Toronto-Niagara Falls
• Ottawa-Kingston

Stuart Kendrick, Senior VP, Greyhound Canada, said: “We deeply regret the impact this has on our staff and our customers, as well as the communities we have had the privilege of serving for many years. A full year without revenue has unfortunately made it impossible to continue operations.”

Challenged in recent years by eroding bus ridership caused by the rise in car ownership, ride sharing, discount airlines and urban migration, Greyhound Canada was forced to gradually reduce the frequency of some services and cut other routes altogether, including suspending service in Western Canada in 2018.

The company says the pandemic resulted in a further dramatic drop of approximately 95% of normal volumes before operations were fully suspended in May 2020, and since its service is reliant on “the fairbox,” that it was unable to sustain operations.

“Significant outreach efforts” to provincial and federal governments for financial support for the industry were largely unsuccessful, Greyhound added.

The Amalgamated Transit Union lamented the impact of the shutdown on workers and said it will leave thousands of people without transportation options.

“This is devastating news for the thousands of Canadians, especially those from Indigenous and First Nations communities, who have relied on Greyhound for transportation,” said the union’s international president, John Costa, in a statement.

About 260 employees were laid off after Greyhound Canada temporarily ended its passenger service last May. An additional 45 employees will be laid off as a result of the permanent closure, Kendrick said.

Refunds

Customers holding tickets originating in Ontario or Quebec for travel within Canada after May 13, 2021, and customers with non-expired Canadian travel vouchers may also request a refund of unused travel voucher funds. Refund services will remain open until June 30, 2021.