DRL Coachlines

DRL Coachlines is a motor coach bus company operating in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Wholly owned by DRL Group of Triton, the bus company provided charter services before it took over Terra Transport Roadcruiser services on the island of Newfoundland in 1996.

Inter-city service

History

DRL subsequently expanded its charter services into neighbouring Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. It also received a license to operate an inter-city bus route from Halifax to Yarmouth via Bridgewater on the South Shore, and was a contract school bus operator for the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board. Tickets are purchased on the bus and only cash is accepted.[1]

Problems arose in the mid-2000s when the company lost its operating licenses for intercity, charter and school buses in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick after government transport regulators were informed of safety problems and maintenance issues resulting from DRL Coachlines service, in addition to tax problems that the company was facing.[2][3] DRL Coachlines has also faced several complaints about its inter-city bus services in Newfoundland and Labrador, where it has a monopoly.[4][5]

The company suspended operations during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020,[6] but resumed operations on June 18, 2020.[7]

References

  1. ^ CBC (2000-06-20). "Annapolis Valley bus drivers protest". CBC News. Archived from the original on 2016-03-07. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  2. ^ CBC (2006-03-31). "DRL licence suspended in N.B." CBC News. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  3. ^ CBC (2005-07-19). "DRL bus line loses license". CBC News. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  4. ^ CBC (2005-12-23). "DRL dismisses complaints on bus service". CBC News. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  5. ^ CBC. "Radio Noon Hour One Archive: Wednesday October 19, 2005 (audio)". Archived from the original on September 24, 2008. Retrieved 2008-09-14.
  6. ^ "DRL Coachlines suspends cross-island service over COVID-19 concerns, low ridership". CBC News. March 26, 2020.
  7. ^ Mercer, Nicholas (June 18, 2020). "Newfoundland's DRL Coachlines offering transportation services starting Thursday". The Central Voice – via Saltwire Network.