Roger Nadeau (right) and his son, Ian (left), are expanding their charter bus service to take passengers between Kamloops and Edmonton.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/Thompson Valley Charters
May 09, 2021 - 10:00 AM
A Kamloops-based charter bus company is diversifying by offering service to Edmonton later this month.
Thompson Valley Charters will send its first bus to Edmonton on May 20 after a year-long process of permit applications.
"Ever since Greyhound pulled, there's been limited service up the North (Thompson) Valley," Roger Nadeau said. He's a co-owner of the company with his son Ian.
The inter-provincial service will also be timed to connect with Ebus trips to and from Vancouver and Kelowna.
Although the charter company normally focuses on serving Rocky Mountaineer rail passengers and hockey teams, especially the Kamloops Blazers, Nadeau said he wanted to fill the service gap left behind by Greyhound's departure.
"My son and I had a big discussion about inter-city passenger service, and we decided it was time to give it a crack," Nadeau said. "We want to make it easier for people in B.C. to get around."
They originally planned to start the service on May 3, but postponed for a few weeks since new travel restrictions came into place in B.C.
"Limited ridership is a concern with the new travel restrictions, and we have to make sure everybody stays healthy," he said.
The bus service has strict cleaning protocols between passenger groups. There are mask requirements for passengers and each passenger will face screening questions before boarding.
Tickets will cost around $200 for a one-way trip between Kamloops and Edmonton. For those who wish to ensure they are socially distanced during the trip, passengers can purchase the neighbouring seat for $25.
Each bus ride will include WiFi for passengers and an onboard streaming service to connect with their device.
For more information about Thompson Valley Charters, check out their website here.
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