Inter-city bus
Inter-city bus operators must have a passenger transportation licence with Special Authorization. Inter-city bus services operate between cities on a schedule, over regular routes and charge per person fares.
Start an inter-city bus service
Passenger transportation operators applying to make changes to a licence must show the Board:
- They are fit, proper and capable of operating a passenger transportation service
- There is a public need for the proposed change and that it promotes sound economic conditions
Make sure you understand the application process. It explains how the Board uses the evidence you provide in your application to make a decision.
Start or expand an inter-city bus service on an existing route
Inter-city bus operators who want to start or expand an inter-city bus service on an existing route can use the new inter-city bus application checklist.
Checklist
New inter-city bus licence
Before you apply
- Understand commercial vehicle and safety information about commercial passenger transportation vehicles
- Obtain a National safety code certificate (NSC)
Forms
- Special authorization licence application (Registrar form)
- Signing authority (Registrar form)
- Inter-city bus authorization application summary(235 KB)
- Inter-city bus route worksheet(659 KB) (for each route you are going to add or change)
- Declarations & consent(573 KB)
Attachments
- Business plan
- Financial information
- All Applicants: Cash flow projections (36 months) and income statements
- Established Companies: Balance sheet
- Sole Proprietors or Partnerships: Personal net worth statements
- Resumés, criminal record checks and business registration documents
- Public need indicators
- Sample ICB time schedule
Final step
- Submit your completed application package to the Registrar’s Office at CPV@gov.bc.ca.
Start an inter-city bus service on a new route
Inter-city bus operators who want to start an inter-city bus service on a new route (a highway corridor without an inter-city bus operation) can use the simplified inter-city bus application checklist.
Checklist
Simplified ICB application
Forms
- Special authorization licence application (Registrar form)
- Signing authority form (Registrar form)
- Inter-city bus route worksheet(154 KB) (each route you are going to add or change)
- Inter-city bus application overview(87 KB)
- Disclosure of unlawful activity and bankruptcy(655 KB)
- Declarations & consent(573 KB)
Attachments
- Business plan
- Financial information
- All Applicants: Cash flow projections (36 months) and income statements
- Established Companies: Balance sheet
- Sole Proprietors or Partnerships: Personal net worth statements
- Resumés, criminal record checks and business registration documents
Final step
- Submit your completed application package to the Registrar’s Office at CPV@gov.bc.ca.
Change an inter-city bus (ICB) licence
Passenger transportation operators applying to make changes to a licence must show the Board:
- They are fit, proper and capable of operating a passenger transportation service
- There is a public need for the proposed change and that it promotes sound economic conditions
Make sure you understand the application process. It explains how the Board uses the evidence you provide in your application to make a decision.
Transfer a licence
Taxi, ride-hail, inter-city bus, limo, shuttle and other passenger directed vehicle operators (transferors) can apply to transfer their passenger transportation licence to another business entity.
Amend an ICB licence
ICB operators must apply to the Board to amend their terms and conditions of licence, including operation on new routes or changing their minimum route frequency requirement. They cannot apply to amend terms and conditions labelled “legislative requirements”.
Add a route
ICB operators must apply to the Board to expand their routes of operation. ICB operators seeking to operate on a route already serviced must submit all items listed under the "New Inter-city Bus Checklist". ICB operators seeking to operate on a route currently not serviced may submit all items listed under the "Simplified ICB Application Checklist".
Reduce or stop inter-city bus service
Inter-city bus operators must apply to the Passenger Transportation Board to reduce the minimum route frequencies (MRF) or to eliminate routes or route points set out in their licence.
Due to COVID-19 the Board has allowed inter-city bus operators to temporarily reduce or suspend scheduled service to below minimum route frequencies without making an application. Operators must provide public notice of this reduced service.
Operating an inter-city bus service
Minimum route frequency
Inter-city bus (ICB) operators must adhere to their license's minimum route frequency requirements.
Due to COVID-19 the Board has allowed inter-city bus operators to temporarily reduce or suspend scheduled service to below minimum route frequencies without making an application. Operators must provide public notice of this reduced service.
Terms and conditions
The Board sets terms and conditions of passenger transportation licences when an application is approved.
Inter-city bus operator terms and conditions include things like:
- Schedules
- Routes
- Pick-up and drop-off points
- Minimum route frequencies (daily, weekly, month)
Operators must also follow the Passenger Transportation Act, the Passenger Transportation Regulation and Board rules.
Fitness reviews
The Board may review licensee fitness at any time to make sure they meet standards.
News and updates for
Inter-city bus
November 24, 2023
Updated policy for inter-city bus licensees
The Passenger Transportation Board has revised its Inter-City Bus Minimum Route Frequency Policy. These revisions are intended to ensure ICB operators continue to operate a basic minimum level of service while providing enhanced flexibility to adjust minimum route frequency.
October 18, 2023
Clarification of credit card surcharge rules
Following consultation with industry regarding credit card surcharges, the Passenger Transportation Board (Board) has created new rules for all passenger directed vehicle (PDV) authorization and transportation network services (TNS) authorization licensees.
Quick links
I want to...
Make a complaint about a service.
Please put your complaint in writing and send it to the Commercial Passenger Vehicle Program. Their phone number is 604-527-2198 and their email is cpv@gov.bc.ca.
Find out what’s happening with someone else’s application.
We do not disclose the status of other applications until the final decision has been published on the website. We also do not disclose that an application has been received until it’s Application Summary has been published in the Weekly Bulletin.
Get an update on my application.
An applicant may contact the Board to inquire about the status of their application.
Renew my licence.
The Registrar of Passenger Transportation will automatically send licence renewal forms to licensees with expiring licences.