The Board may look at the conduct of the licensee and the potential of harm to the public or to the integrity of the industry when reviewing applications.

Administrative penalties and offences: Is there a record of non-compliance or administrative penalties imposed by the Registrar?

National Safety Code (NSC): Is the NSC safety profile status satisfactory?

Unlawful activity: Charges or convictions that indicate a risk to the public with potentially serious implications, including those relating to:

• Provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and Motor Vehicle Act, including those listed in sections 12.63 to 12.67 of the Passenger Transportation Regulation, or
• Sections 12.2 and 12.3 of the Passenger Transportation Regulation and related licence requirements that protect the safety of unaccompanied minors carried in perimeter seating buses

Bankruptcy: A history of financial insolvency or fraudulent activity.

In general, applicants should demonstrate an awareness and knowledge of responsibilities to comply with the following:  

• Passenger Transportation Act including requirements set out in:
  • The Passenger Transportation Regulation
  • Terms and conditions of licence
  • Board approved rates and rules governing the rates
• Requirements under the Motor Vehicle Act (including Motor Vehicle Act Regulations) that apply to holders of a passenger transportation licence
• Requirements that apply to extra-provincial, inter-city bus operators in federal Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations 

The business plan and other application materials must demonstrate operational care and control as outlined in sections 6 and 7 of the Passenger Transportation Regulation. Factors the Board considers include:

• Core responsibilities of owners, managers and others who influence how the operation is managed
• Hiring practices
• Driver and employee training
• Driver and employee disciplinary measures
• Policies to ensure that apps and other technologies are programmed in ways that facilitate compliance (e.g. accurate geo-fencing and programming of rates in apps) 

The applicant’s business plan should reflect an awareness and knowledge of its National Safety Code (NSC) obligations in B.C., and it should note that it has procedures in place to meet them. For more information, see the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s Carrier Safety Guide.  

NSC obligations include:

• Educating yourself and drivers of NSC Safety Certificate requirements
• Ensuring that vehicles are properly inspected and maintained
• Ensuring competent and qualified drivers drive your vehicles
• Keeping records to track drivers’ hours of service, the maintenance of vehicles, and company safety programs and policies to ensure that drivers and employees follow safety procedures and requirements 

A business plan demonstrates that the applicant has taken the time to research and investigate the financial viability of the business they propose.  The Board reviews the business plan to see that the applicant:

• Provides a clear description of the transportation service being proposed
• Provides public need indicators
• Has identified its target market
• Understands local conditions and competitive challenges
• Has developed a marketing plan
• Has identified any business partnerships and alliances it depends on 

The Board reviews financial information submitted with the application. This includes 36-month cash flow projections, balance sheets and income statements.  When reviewing financial information, the Board considers the following:

• Does the applicant have the financial resources or funds to start-up the operation?  
• Do assumptions and budget forecast projections have enough detail to show that revenue estimates are realistic?
• Do cost projections cover the main expense categories and are they realistic?
• Do the planned business activities and services align with the financial statements and projections?
• Do the financial statements reflect a company that will be profitable and well managed? 

The business plan and resumes should include enough information about the applicant or management team to demonstrate that the company’s key personnel have the education, experience and/or training that is necessary to set up and maintain the services the applicant says it will provide.