The owner of Maritime Bus says Islanders will soon be able to book joint train and motorcoach trips as a single transaction on its website.
Mike Cassidy says it will be one-stop shopping.
“It’s going to be seamless,’’ Cassidy said Monday.
A new operating partnership between Maritime Bus and VIA Rail Canada is supposed to improve options and service for Maritime travellers. The two companies now share existing VIA Rail terminals in Halifax, Truro and Moncton.
“You get off the train and you want to get a bus and you (in the past) had to spend money to go a mile down the road to get a bus. Now everything is together.’’
Cassidy said he’s happy with how the first three days of the new business has gone. The bus left Charlottetown Monday morning with people heading to Truro, Fredericton, the Moncton Airport and Halifax. There was a stopover in Summerside where the bus picked up students heading to Wolfville, N.S.
“It was encouraging to see the different frequencies, the different times.’’
Two buses leave Charlottetown per day compared to one under Acadian, which recently pulled its buses off the roads.
Cassidy believes in giving people options.
“If you give people travel options I honestly believe there are going to start to have that confidence again back in the bus system, no question.’’
In 2013, people will be able to book their train and bus trip at the same time on the Maritime Bus website.
“We’re also going to do travel promotions and travel packages. It’s very exciting. This whole idea of cross promotion . . . we’re into that.’’
Maritime Bus is the new run passenger and parcel service for New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island that stepped in when Acadian announced it was pulling its buses off the roads.
On the web: www.maritimebus.com
