By Dale Boyd

Osoyoos Times

A replacement for inter-city bus routes in B.C. after the loss of Greyhound services is now a reality for residents of Osoyoos — powered by vegetable oil.

Tickets are now on sale online for the maiden voyage of Mountain Man Mike’s Bus Service, which includes a stop in Osoyoos.

Mike Hathaway, who owns and operates the bus service along with his wife, got an application approved by the Transportation Safety Board three months ago. An inspection was recently completed on the former Saskatchewan Transit Service bus he will operate. Hathaway’s bus will be making stops in Osoyoos Friday and Saturday, beginning with the Vancouver-Kaslo route.

Expanding the route to Alberta will require some further approval from Alberta transit authorities.

The initial bus has 22 seats and includes a bathroom.

“I’m looking at some other buses that are coming up for auction, but it really has to be the right bus. It has to be in the right shape for us to buy it, but that is kind of what we are aiming for 22, or 24 passenger buses,” Hathaway said. “We are looking at some larger buses as well, but it all depends what comes up for auction.”

The bus service, started by the former Vancouver school bus driver and mechanic, is planning to eventually run from Vancouver to Edmonton and Calgary. The business is based out of Kaslo, B.C., where Hathaway currently resides.

• Read more: BC Transit hears feedback on new bus route to Kelowna

Stops for the first route include Kaslo, Balfour, Nelson, Castlegar, Christina Lake, Grand Forks, Greenwood, Rock Creek, Osoyoos, Keremeos, Princeton, Hope, Chilliwack, Abbotsford and Vancouver.

Using fry oil from restaurants in combination with traditional diesel fuel, Hathaway is trying to leave less of an environmental impact from his service and hopes to start producing the oil himself.

“At the end of the day we are paying pretty close to what you would for commercial fuel, but the only difference is I think it is around 80 per cent less emissions,” Hathaway said.

There have been some difficulties finding businesses who would agree to act as bus stops for Hathaway around the province. Sometimes due to requirements from the transit authorities like bathroom access or just an unwillingness to have the extra traffic in certain areas.

He was able to come to an agreement with the Husky Car and Truck Stop in Osoyoos, where the bus will likely be rolling in around noon when it starts arriving.

“That was a bigger hurdle; I thought it would be much easier to find businesses who were willing to do it. Luckily the Husky in Osoyoos stepped up,” Hathaway said.

Those looking to purchase tickets and find more information can visit mountainmanmikes.ca.