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It sounds like it isn't designed to be permanent: "'This is an interim solution to cover the loss of Greyhound while we work with communities,' said Transporta

It sounds like it isn't designed to be permanent: "'This is an interim solution to cover the loss of Greyhound while we work with communities,' said Transportation Minister Claire Trevena, who said B.C. Transit would be spending $2 million to operate the service starting June 4." I'm kind of surprised they aren't making it permanent though - $2 million seems pretty cheap, and making it government-run ensures it won't be taken away again.

uiri 8y ago
making it government-run ensures it won't be taken away again. It only ensures that it won't be taken away again until the next time the province elects a majority Tory government.
- BeeOnRope 8y ago
  To be fair, it has been about 90 years since the last time the Tories were elected in BC, and with no functioning Tory party in BC it doesn't seem like that will happen again any time soon.
  - vkou 8y ago
    In BC, the Tories call themselves the "BC Liberal" (In-name only) party. Their policies are very similar to the federal CPC.
    - BeeOnRope 8y ago
      The BC liberal party is indeed kind of a philosophical blend between the federal liberals and the federal conservatives (more like the liberals on social and environmental issues, but more like the conservatives on fiscal issues) - but no, nobody calls the BC liberal party "the Tories".
geezerjay 8y ago
> I'm kind of surprised they aren't making it permanent though - $2 million seems pretty cheap, and making it government-run ensures it won't be taken away again. Government programs start small like a foot in the door. Then they start to grow due to their very nature (provide a service with no regard for cost or return, if town B has a service then town D is also entitled to one, etc) and the argument is always that their service is indispensible. Then of course the interests of those working for the state-controlled company also play a role, and the existence of the service starts to become a political sticking point that syphons millions each year and piles o millions more in debt.

uiri 8y ago

making it government-run ensures it won't be taken away again. It only ensures that it won't be taken away again until the next time the province elects a majority Tory government.

BeeOnRope 8y ago
To be fair, it has been about 90 years since the last time the Tories were elected in BC, and with no functioning Tory party in BC it doesn't seem like that will happen again any time soon.
- vkou 8y ago
  In BC, the Tories call themselves the "BC Liberal" (In-name only) party. Their policies are very similar to the federal CPC.
  - BeeOnRope 8y ago
    The BC liberal party is indeed kind of a philosophical blend between the federal liberals and the federal conservatives (more like the liberals on social and environmental issues, but more like the conservatives on fiscal issues) - but no, nobody calls the BC liberal party "the Tories".

geezerjay 8y ago

> I'm kind of surprised they aren't making it permanent though - $2 million seems pretty cheap, and making it government-run ensures it won't be taken away again. Government programs start small like a foot in the door. Then they start to grow due to their very nature (provide a service with no regard for cost or return, if town B has a service then town D is also entitled to one, etc) and the argument is always that their service is indispensible. Then of course the interests of those working for the state-controlled company also play a role, and the existence of the service starts to become a political sticking point that syphons millions each year and piles o millions more in debt.