Smaller private operators are stepping in to pick up bus-service routes throughout British Columbia that Greyhound announced last summer it would discontinue.

"When Greyhound ends its bus service on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2018, 83% of its routes will be covered by other private operators by year's end, meaning British Columbians will still be able to travel safely, affordably and reliably through most of the province," reads a B.C. ministry of transportation and infrastructure media release.

The minister, Claire Trevena, is quoted there stating that her office continues to work to see that the 17 percent of existing routes that will for now be left without bus service soon have alternative travel options in place.

"When news of Greyhound's decision broke, the B.C. government—working with the Passenger Transportation Board—implemented a fast-tracked application process to replace the service with as little disruption as possible," reads the October 29 release. "Trevena said her priority now is to restore service to the eight route segments servicing smaller, more remote communities. The Province will issue a request for expressions of interest in the coming weeks to engage the private sector on solutions to fill these remaining gaps."

Greyhound Canada announced it would discontinue bus routes in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, last July.

“Simply put, the issue that we have seen is the routes in rural parts of Canada—specifically Western Canada—are just not sustainable anymore," the company's vice-president, Stuart Kendrick told the Canadian Press that month.

The B.C. government responded to the news with obvious frustration.

"Greyhound's decision to completely eliminate service in Western Canada by Oct. 31, 2018, is hugely problematic for people who depend on Greyhound in the Interior, Sea-to-Sky, and to get to and from Alberta," reads a July 2018 statement attributed Trevena. "This move will leave people with limited options to get around, and this will likely impact the most vulnerable."

Shortly after, the province established B.C. Bus North, a government-operated interim bus service to run between towns in northern British Columbia.

Today's announcement means the B.C. government will begin replacing that service with the patchwork of private operators whose business applications the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure and the Passenger Transportation Board have "fast-tracked" in the hope of avoiding disruptions.