Planning a bus trip across the Maritimes will soon require a bit more strategy. Maritime Bus wants to change its pricing structure and service routes. The company recently submitted an application to the New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board and the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board. According to a report by CBC News, the proposed changes include dynamic pricing and new refund options.

What Dynamic Pricing Means for Your Wallet

Maritime Bus owner Mike Cassidy wants to introduce dynamic pricing to the network. The company plans to keep base fares the same for tickets purchased at least 48 hours before departure. However, if you buy your ticket closer to your travel time, you will face a fare increase of up to 35 percent. Cassidy says this system helps the company manage bus capacity and guarantees every traveler gets a seat.

“With dynamic pricing, all we’re asking, for example, is if you’re travelling this Sunday, would you let us know by Friday,” Cassidy told CBC Radio. “But if you do wait within that window, let’s say it’s a 48 hour window, we would just like to be able to charge a little bit of a premium for the late booking.”

New Refund Options and Route Adjustments

Right now, Maritime Bus only offers a credit for future travel if you cancel your trip. The new application asks regulators to approve different prices for refundable and nonrefundable tickets. Customers want cash refunds similar to airline policies. Under the proposal, refundable rates include a minimum charge of $5 up to 20 percent of the ticket price.

The company also wants to officially reduce its Moncton to Halifax service from three daily trips to two. Cassidy notes this matches the actual schedule the company has run since 2022. The dropped trip previously connected the Maritimes to Quebec and points further west.

Rising Fuel Costs Drive the Changes

Operating a fleet of motor coaches is expensive. Trevor Hanson, a University of New Brunswick engineering professor, says dynamic pricing is an effective way to manage rising costs in the transportation sector.

“As costs go up they’re going to look for ways to ensure their own sustainability and at the same time, passengers are looking to lower their costs because of all the other pressures that we see,” Hanson said.

Fuel prices remain a major challenge. Maritime Bus recently increased its fuel surcharge from 8.5 percent to 13.5 percent on April 15. Cassidy explains that filling a 900 litre diesel tank costs between $2,000 and $3,000. He hopes fuel prices drop so the company can lower the surcharge.

Public Hearings Set for June

Regulators must approve these changes before Maritime Bus implements them. The New Brunswick Energy and Utilities Board will hold a virtual public hearing on June 18. The Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board will host its own virtual hearing at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my bus ticket cost more?

Your ticket price stays the same if you book at least 48 hours in advance. Late bookings will cost up to 35 percent more.

Can I get a cash refund if I cancel my trip?

Maritime Bus is asking regulators to allow cash refunds for a premium fee. Currently, the company only offers travel credit.

Are any bus routes being cancelled?

The company wants to officially reduce the Moncton to Halifax route from three daily trips to two. This reflects the schedule they have already been running since 2022.

Why did the fuel surcharge increase?

High diesel prices forced the company to raise the surcharge to 13.5 percent to cover the cost of filling their buses.