When Ponoka’s Greyhound Bus Line was in need of a new owner, Bill Tozer stepped up to the plate on behalf of Ponoka residents who are in dire need of its services.
For the past two weeks the bus has been arriving at and departing from Tozer’s business, Mr. Bill’s Computers located on Chipman Avenue, but the question “for how long?” still remains on the minds of many both for and against its current stop.
Previous owners of the business recommended Tozer to Greyhound representatives on a Friday and by the following Monday morning they were in Ponoka to meet with him. They checked the alley behind Mr. Bill’s Computers and told him that the amount of available space fit their standards so Tozer made the decision to take on the responsibility and run the much-needed service from his current business. The bus had been parking on Chipman Avenue instead of using the alley, however, and it wasn’t long before Tozer received a phone call from the Town expressing the need for him to change its location. “The time frame caught me and the Town by surprise causing miscommunication but we are working together to come to a solution to make this happen while making sure we adhere to all bylaws,” said Tozer on Jan. 9.
“My concern, as well as that of the Town, is that this is too important a service to lose,” said Watson, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Town of Ponoka. “It’s most pleasing that there is a cooperative effort happening here to accommodate the needs of the community while respecting the concerns it has as well.”
The new stop has been generating mixed emotions. A number of business owners on the avenue see it as a benefit because people are seeing their businesses when they get on and off the bus and utilizing their services while waiting for it to arrive, while some see it as a major obstruction. The people who use the bus don’t seem to have any complaints when it comes to location however. When asked, customers stated they relied on its services as their primary means of transportation, whether it be for their work, health, recreation, etc. and don’t want to see another door of a Ponoka store closing any time soon, especially that of a service that is so wanted and needed in our community.
“We want him to make it work. We are looking at what needs to happen to create long term success,” said Watson on Jan. 9.
What the town also needed was Tozer’s plan. He was asked to prepare a proposal to submit to the Town on Jan. 12 and Greyhound representatives were expected to come to Ponoka to review the business plan, explaining how his current location could be utilized, with him. A Greyhound bus driver in attendance expressed his concerns with regards to taking a bus through that “T” alley however, and after ongoing debate surrounding the issue of location; it appears as though Greyhound will be moving elsewhere.
“We’re just waiting right now. I haven’t heard anything from either side but it looks like Greyhound will be changing locations and hands,” said Tozer.
More information will be available at a later date.