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FAQS
QUESTIONS

WEBSITE TRAVEL POLICIES CONNECTIONS GENERAL/TICKETING
ANSWERS

How Do I Check Schedules and Rates? How Do I Make an Online Reservation? - Return to top

  • View Schedules and Rates
  • Select a Departure City, a Destination City and a Date.
  • The system will take you to the "Schedule Lookup" page.
  • Select exact Pickup and Dropoff points, and the number of desired seats, indicating any eligibility for discounts
  • The system will now display availability and ticket cost to you.
  • If you wish to make a booking at this point you will be required to login to your account. If you are not a member, enter your personal information in the required fields to set up an account.
How Do I View or Cancel Booked Tickets? - Return to top
  • View or Cancel existing Tickets
  • In the left-hand column of the screen, login to your Tofino Bus Member account.
  • Once Logged in click on "Ticket Details"
  • Select the trip which you wish to view or cancel
  • From here you will be able to view a full receipt or cancel seats for this ticket (one at a time). You will also be able to re-print tickets if required.
  • Please note: cancelling an online reservation does not refund your credit card. The value of the ticket is credited to your online account for future travel.

Do I Qualify for a Discount? - Return to top

  • Students with a valid high school or post-secondary I.D. card with a valid expiry date are eligible for a 10% discount. The card must be presented to the driver or ticketing agent before purchase to be honoured.
  • Hostelling International members with a valid membership card are eligible for a 10% discount. The card must be presented to the driver or ticketing agent before purchase to be honoured.
  • Seniors 65+ are eligible for a 10% discount.
  • Please note: If you are eligible for a discount, please mention this at time of ticket purchase. Refunds for the difference will not be given after initial ticket purchase.
  • Discounts can not be combined.
Why Can't I Reserve a Seat to Vancouver? Courtenay? Port Hardy? ... - Return to top

If you are trying to book a trip that involves travel with our Interline Bus Carriers (ie. Greyhound Bus), the following message will appear on the screen:

"Tickets for this Run are available from our Interline Bus Carriers."
These routes cannot be reserved through Tofino Bus's online reservation system at this time. Tickets can be purchased in person at the Tofino Bus Depot or any Greyhound Depot. You may also pre-purchase tickets at Greyhound.ca.

Do I need a reservation? - Return to top

Reservations are always recommended to assure your seats.

What is Tofino Bus's Policy on Children Travelling Unaccompanied? - Return to top

Unaccompanied Children must have their tickets purchased by the Parent/Guardian or Custodian in person at the departing bus depot. Unaccompanied Children will be ticketed with a Greyhound ticket and the following Greyhound rules apply. Children under the age of eight must be accompanied by someone age 15 years or older. An unaccompanied child is a passenger between the ages of eight and 14 years old (inclusive, NO EXCEPTIONS) and may travel unaccompanied if the following conditions are met in their entirety: The Unaccompanied child is not allowed to transfer buses except if doing so at the Port Alberni Bus Depot. The trip must begin and terminate on the same schedule. NO EXCEPTIONS. Unaccompanied minors must have an Unaccompanied Child Form completed for them. An Unaccompanied Child Form must be filled in for each direction of travel (round trip would require two completed forms). The child must be met at the destination station by the person specified on the Unaccompanied Child Form. If two or more children between the ages of eight and 14 are travelling together (without a passenger 15 years of age or older) each child must have a completed Unaccompanied Child Form. Whenever possible, travel should be during daylight hours. Under no circumstances should any child be bumped on any trip. This also includes bumping the child onto an overload.

The destination terminal/agency must be open upon arrival. The schedule trip should not exceed six (6) hours in duration. The unaccompanied child and the parent/guardian should be at the terminal at least 40 minutes before departure. A fee of $5.00 plus tax will be assessed for each child traveling unaccompanied. All unaccompanied children travel as individuals and will be charged the student fare. Please note that this also applies when two or more unaccompanied children travel together.

No other discount fares apply.

Can Pets travel on the Tofino Bus? - Return to top

Pets are not allowed on board our buses or underneath in the luggage bays. The only exception: certified guide dogs.

Can I Bring My Bike? - Return to top

Bicycles must be reserved 1.866.986.3466. Tofino Bus can take one unpackaged bike per schedule, with a reservation, for a $5 charge. All unpackaged bikes must be reserved. If there is already a bike reserved on the date of travel, we can only accept bicycles that are in boxes. Boxed bikes can travel unreserved as a piece of checked luggage for a $5 charge. Bike boxes are usually available in the Port Alberni and Tofino depots. If you are traveling onto a Greyhound bus all bikes must be shipped as freight.

Tofino Bikes will package your bike securely for shipping (for a fee) in Tofino. Call 250-725-BIKE for further information.

Can I Bring My Surfboard? - Return to top

Surfboards are welcome free of charge. Surfboards must be less than 8ft. in length and must be packaged properly. Tofino Bus Services Inc. is not liable for any damage that may occur while shipping or transporting your surfboard. If you are traveling onto a Greyhound bus all surfboards must be under 7 ft.

Can I Eat Food or Drink on the Tofino Bus? - Return to top

NO. Due to allergies, odours, and mystery stains to passengers clothing, no food or drink (except water) is permitted on the Tofino Bus.

Do Tofino Bus's Pick Up and Drop Off Times at Departure Bay Ferry Terminal Connect with Ferry Crossings? Which Ones? - Return to top

The Tofino Bus picks up and drops off foot passengers at the Departure Bay ferry terminal.

There are two daily buses bound for the west coast (Tofino and Ucluelet via Parksville and Port Alberni), picking up at Departure Bay at 10:35am and 2:50pm. Foot passengers travelling on the 8:30am and 12:30pm sailings from Horseshoe Bay to Departure Bay will connect with the Tofino Bus to the west coast.

There is an additional evening bus bound for Port Alberni via Parksville, picking up at Departure Bay at 7:00pm. This bus terminates in Port Alberni and does not go to Ucluelet or Tofino. Passengers from the mainland wishing to connect with this bus, will take the 5:00pm sailing

Tofino Bus arrival times at Departure Bay connect with the 10:30am sailing (bus originates in Port Alberni), 3:00pm sailing, and 7:00pm sailing from Departure Bay to Horseshoe Bay.

I am arriving as a foot passenger at Departure Bay Ferry Terminal. Where Do I Meet the Bus? - Return to top

The Tofino Bus meets foot passengers in the foot passenger pick-up zone within Departure Bay ferry terminal. You can expect to see the Tofino Bus pulling up to the public bus stop a few minutes before scheduled departure times.

What Happens If the Ferry is Delayed? - Return to top

Tofino Bus will wait for late ferries up until 45 minutes after scheduled ferry arrival. E.G. If a ferry is due at 10:05 am, Tofino Bus will wait until 10:50 am for passengers arriving on delayed ferries. E.G. If a ferry is due 2:15 pm, Tofino Bus will wait until 3:00 PM for passengers arriving on delayed ferries. Please note that before picking up foot passengers, the Tofino Bus will be waiting for the arrival of passengers aboard the Vancouver Greyhound bus at the Nanaimo bus depot. Following this, the bus will depart the Nanaimo Bus Depot and pick up foot passengers at Departure Bay. Please be ready for expedient boarding. If you are on a late ferry, please call us and let us know.

Does Tofino Bus Service Duke Point? - Return to top

No, Tofino Bus does not service Duke Point. Transfers from Duke Point to Departure Bay Ferry Terminal or Nanaimo Bus Depot are offered by the Nanaimo Airporter (1-800-209-7792) or AC Taxi (1-800-753-1231).

How Do I Make a Connection From... - Return to top

  • Vancouver Airport? - Return to top

    Transfers from Vancouver International Airport to Pacific Central Station are offered by the Vancouver Airporter (1-800-668-3141).

  • Nanaimo Airport? - Return to top

    Transfers from the Nanaimo Airport to Nanaimo Bus Depot or Departure Bay Ferry Terminal are offered by the Nanaimo Airporter (1-800-209-7792) or AC Taxi (1-800-753-1231).

  • Comox Airport? - Return to top

    Transfers from the Comox Airport to the Courtenay Greyhound Depot are offered by Comox Taxi (1-866-339-7955). The Island Chauffer also provides Comox Airport service to other Tofino Bus pickup points on Vancouver Island such as Parksville (250-954-9694.)

  • Victoria Airport? - Return to top

    Transfers from Victoria Airport to the Victoria Bus Depot are offered by AKAL Airport Shuttle Bus (1-877-386-2525).

  • Whistler? - Return to top

    The southbound Greyhound Bus travelling from Whistler to Vancouver stops by request at the Horseshoe Bay Ferry Terminal. You can board the Nanaimo bound ferry as a foot passenger and board the Tofino Bus at Departure Bay Ferry Terminal in Nanaimo.

    Travelling from Vancouver Island to Whistler, you will have to connect with the northbound Greyhound Whistler bus in West Vancouver (flag stop-only hand luggage allowed) or at the Vancouver Bus Depot, as they do not pick up at Horseshoe Bay on the northbound route.

  • Saltspring Island? - Return to top

    If you are travelling from the west coast to Salt Spring Island, you will transfer to the southbound Greyhound Bus in Nanaimo. You will take this bus to Chemainus. From here, you can take a public bus (#6) to the Crofton Ferry Terminal which services Vesuvius Ferry Terminal on Salt Spring Island.

When does the Beach Bus start, and where does it operate? - Return to top

The regional shuttle that operates between Tofino, Long Beach, and Ucluelet is operating on the spring schedule (2 times daily) March 01-June 29. The summer schedule will be posted soon, and take effect June 30-Sept 1 with additional stops including the Wickaninnish Interpretive Centre and Greenpoint Campground in Pacific Rim National Park.

Does Tofino Bus Ever Cancel Trips Due to Weather Conditions, Road Closures, Breakdowns, or Accidents? - Return to top

Poor weather that results in dangerous road conditions can impact on-time performance. Tofino Bus Services Inc. will not be held liable for missed connections or other interruptions due poor weather conditions. Tofino Bus Services Inc. reserves the right to cancel planned trips in the event passenger and / or vehicle safety is compromised. Tofino Bus Services Inc. maintains and services its vehicles in accordance with manufacturer instructions, and checks are made in accordance with Motor Vehicle and Passenger Transportation Branch requirements. Despite this, mechanical breakdowns do occur from time to time. In this case, Tofino Bus Services Inc. will do everything in its power to provide alternative transportation, but will not be held liable for missed third party carrier connections. The limited alternate route opportunities on Vancouver Island can cause severe traffic congestion in the event of a road accident. In the event traffic is held up due to an accident, Tofino Bus Services Inc. will not be held liable for any missed connections that may result. Tofino Bus Services Inc. never cancels a scheduled departure unless the highway is closed.

Can the Tofino Bus Be Flagged Down Along the Road? - Return to top

Tofino Bus does offer courtesy pick-ups and drop-offs at company designated safe pull-outs en route. If a pullout is deemed unsafe by Tofino Bus staff, the Tofino Bus will drop you off at the next closest spot. When boarding and unloading at a flag stop, please note that the driver will not be able to open the luggage bins, all luggage must therefore be easily taken on board with the passenger. If purchasing a ticket from the driver, please have exact fare on hand.

Please contact the Tofino Bus office if you have any questions about designated flag stops or wish to inform us of your intent to board at a flag stop.

Can I Use a Greyhound Ticket or Discover Pass on the Tofino Bus? - Return to top

Yes. Purchase tickets from any Greyhound agent - Greyhound fare rules apply. We accept all valid Greyhound tickets.

Where Do I Purchase a Greyhound Discovery Pass? - Return to top

You can purchase a Greyhound Discovery Pass from any Greyhound agency, including the Tofino Bus depots in Tofino and Port Alberni. For more information on Discovery Passes, please visit: http://www.discoverypass.com/products.asp

How Do Greyhound Companion Fares Apply to Tofino Bus? - Return to top

Companion Fares are a fare discount offered by Greyhound. Tickets can be purchased at any Greyhound depot or on the Greyhound Canada website, at least five days prior to travel. As an Interline carrier of Greyhound, Tofino Bus Services does accept Companion Fare tickets as valid tickets, but does not sell tickets at this discount for travel on Vancouver Island routes. Tofino Bus can issue Companion Fares for travel from Vancouver and beyond.

Am I Able to Get an Advance Purchase Greyhound Ticket for the Tofino Bus? - Return to top

Advance Purchase tickets are a fare discount offered by Greyhound. Tickets can be purchased at any Greyhound depot or on the Greyhound Canada website for certain routes 1, 7, or 14 days prior to travel. These tickets are non-refundable. As an Interline carrier of Greyhound, Tofino Bus Services does accept Advance Purchase tickets as valid tickets, but does not sell tickets at this discount for travel on Vancouver Island routes. Tofino Bus can issue Advance Purchase tickets for travel from Vancouver and beyond based on Greyhound.ca web-based fares.

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