October 28th, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
67% of Motor Coach Companies in BC Fear Permanent Closures as the BC Motor Coach Coalition Seeks Additional Support from Government

Motor Coach companies across British Columbia have come together to form the BC Motor Coach Coalition. The goal of the Coalition is to create awareness and gain support for the industry and its member’s that continue to experience devastating losses from the COVID?19 pandemic.
“The motor coach industry across BC is down at minimum 95% in gross revenue since March 1st/ 2020 and doesn’t expect a return to anything more than 50% revenues for 2021,” says John Wilson, President and CEO of Wilson’s Transportation in Victoria, BC.
In July, the BC Trucking Association reported that 90% of the fleets in BC were parked along with 67% of companies reporting temporary layoffs and an additional 33% reporting permanent layoffs. While some companies were able to resume their scheduled services over the summer months as restrictions eased, many motor coach companies that rely on private group charters have yet to see business return.
“We have operated 6 Charters between March and October” says Brad Sidjak, General Manager for International Stage Lines in Richmond, BC. “On average our company would normally operate over 5,000 trips throughout BC during that same time period”.
David Holmes, General Manager for Perimeter Transportation in Vancouver, BC argues that “Federal Government programs such as CEWS aren't sufficient or beneficial to an industry that is almost completely shut down due to government restrictions.”
While the Provincial Government claims to be offering support to the tourism industry through additional relief efforts, such as the “Small and Medium?Sized Business Recovery Grant” which offers up to $40,000, “it is not sufficient enough to offer any significant or lasting support to the average BC motor coach company,” continues Holmes. “In addition, several of the grants requirements will prevent some motor coach companies from being eligible.”
Motor Coach Canada reports that each group travelling via motor coach generates $10k ? $15k per day in economic activity and spending in our local economy. According a survey conducted by the BCTA back in June, the motor coach industry is expecting it to take 20 months at minimum to recover. 67% of companies remain concerned about whether their business will be able to survive.
The BC Motor Coach Coalition plans to focus on additional grants and deferrable loans, specific to the motor coach industry, to allow for the liquidity many companies need to get through the uncertain future.
The Coalition strongly believes that an economically sensitive group of British Columbians are at risk of suffering undue hardship from massive reductions in service without further government support for the motor coach industry. “We not only serve the tourism industry,” says Sidjak, “but also youth groups, senior citizens, nonprofits, local sports teams, school groups, and people at risk.”


BC Motor Coach Coalition Founding Members

John Wilson
President and CEO
Wilson’s Transportation Ltd.
Victoria, BC

Brad Sidjak
General Manager
International Stage Lines
Richmond, BC

Travis Wilson
General Manager
Tofino Bus
Nanaimo, BC

Joe Jansen
Vice President
Vancouver Island Coach Lines

Nanaimo, BC
General Manager
Bluestar Coachlines
Kelowna, BC


Dean Clark
General Manager
Cantrail Coach Lines
Vancouver, BC

David Holmes
General Manager
Perimeter Transportation
Vancouver, Whistler, Squamish BC

Sheldon Eggen
President
Charter Bus Lines
Delta, BC

Amie Turpin
Operations Manager
Canada West Coachlines Ltd.
Kamloops, BC

Samantha Wilson
Sales Manager
CVS Tours
Victoria, BC

Jack Craven
Senior Account Manager
Northern Spirit Transportation
Prince George, BC