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A Greyhound bus, here in Detroit (archive picture): Long distances, little demand
Photo: JEFF KOWALSKY / AFP
Their seating comfort is manageable, their reputation for it legendary: the buses of the Greyhound transport company have been rolling through Canada for almost a hundred years.
But now the US provider is closing its Canada business.
"Unfortunately, a full year without sales made it impossible to continue operations," announced the company.
"Many thanks to our dedicated staff for their commitment and service as well as to our customers who chose Greyhound Canada in better times."
The decision will take effect immediately.
In the USA, the greyhound bus has long been a transport legend with over 100 years of history, during which the company brought the country between the Pacific and Atlantic together.
In even larger Canada with significantly fewer inhabitants, business turned out to be very difficult.
The news does not come as a surprise to urban researcher Anthony Perl.
Because the company's business model has been under pressure for a long time.
"It's a company that has to make a profit, and it has proven over decades that you can't do that on these routes with a relatively small population," Perl told Canadian broadcaster CBC.
Greyhound discontinued its routes in the west of the country as early as 2018, citing a declining number of customers and competition from other bus companies and trains as reasons.
The pandemic then caused demand on the remaining routes to collapse by 95 percent.
As early as May 2020, Greyhound had therefore decided to temporarily suspend the trips.
In the USA, on the other hand, greyhound buses continue to operate, and cross-border trips are also to continue to be offered.
mic / dpa-afx
