SMITHERS (NEWS1130) – Greyhound’s desire to decrease bus service throughout BC has a lot of northerners upset.

The company’s proposal comes at a time when towns along the Highway of Tears are clamouring for increased service.

Civic leaders along that highway argue young people would be less tempted to take their chances riding with strangers if there were some sort of shuttle service between towns.

Now, they’re dealing with the prospect of Greyhound delivering less service.

“Planes don’t land in every town. Not everyone owns a vehicle. That’s why there are a lot of hitch-hikers. And we know what’s been happening to hitch-hikers, and that’s a big, big concern,” says Smithers Councillor Norm Adomeit, referring to a route where several young women have disappeared over the last few decades.

“We don’t want to lose any services and I don’t think we should.”

The frequency of many routes in BC could be cut in half, but Greyhound’s plans are subject to provincial approval.

British Columbians have ten more days to have their say about the company’s intentions.