Flash Version
November 29, 1929
Canadian Greyhound Coaches Ltd., B.C. is incorporated, founded by George Fay and
Speed Olson, with help from Barney Olson. The first routes ran from Nelson to Trail,
Kaslo and Nakusp. The initial fleet was four buses and some seven-passenger touring
cars.
1930
Greyhound sets up shop in Calgary's Southam Building, formerly occupied by Black's
Jewellers. Decorated with crystal chandeliers and teak panelling, the terminal was
considered one of the most outstanding in North America.
1935
George Fay and engineer H. K. "Pat" Williams develop the first steel bus, No. 25,
known as "Two-bits." This steel frame bus with riveted heavy steel siding was revolutionary
compared to other buses of the time with wooden frames and roof bows covered with
canvas or light metal siding.
1940
The company is sold to the Greyhound Corporation in the United States and renamed
as Western Canadian Greyhound Lines, Ltd.
1942 - 1944
Greyhound provides wartime service for the North West Service Command during the
building of the Alcan highway between Dawson Creek, British Columbia, and Fairbanks,
Alaska.
1948
Greyhound purchases a controlling interest in Motor Coach Industries (MCI), formerly
called the Fort Garry Motor Body Company.
1950s
First use of famous Greyhound slogan, "Go Greyhound ... and leave the driving to
us."
Greyhound begins providing reduced fares to members of the Canadian National Institute
for the Blind, their escorts and service animals.
1956
George Fay retires after 27 years as president and is replaced by Bob Borden.
Greyhound now has full control of Motor Coach Industries (MCI).
1957
Greyhound Lines of Canada is incorporated. The new company unites the Western Canadian
Greyhound and Eastern Canadian Greyhound subsidiaries of the U.S.-based Greyhound
Corporation, creating a truly "national" organization.
1960s
Greyhound opens "Greyhound Travel Bureaus" equipped with brochures.
1962
Greyhound introduces through schedules from Vancouver to Toronto following the completion
of the Trans Canada Highway.
1963
Greyhound begins a short-lived, capital-intensive diversification strategy by incorporating
subsidiary Boothe Leasing.
1964
Greyhound launches the "$99 Grand Circle Tour." Canadians travelled along the Trans-Canada
Highway and then south to the United States, stopping in Los Angeles, New Orleans,
Miami and New York.
1965
Greyhound buys out long-standing rival Brewster Transport.
1967
Greyhound offers special charters to Expo 67 in Montreal.
1970
Greyhound purchases northern operator Canadian Coachways.
1978
After 62 days of hearings the Ontario Highway Transport Board grants Greyhound the
right to run a service over the Sudbury-Toronto route.
1979
Greyhound celebrates its 50th anniversary. The company is acknowledged as Canada's
largest bus line by route miles, geographic area and revenues.
1980
Bob Borden retires after 23 years as president and is replaced by Jim Knight.
1984
Greyhound breaks ground on the new Calgary terminal.
1988
Greyhound is the transportation provider for the 1988 Calgary Winter Olympics.
1989
Dick Huisman replaces Jim Knight as president.
Greyhound invests $14 million to improve its facilities, equipment and service,
and purchases 19 Kenworth "high cube" tractor-trailers to handle courier express
overflow on major routes.
1992
Greyhound purchases Gray Coach Lines, former TTC subsidiary, from Stagecoach Holdings.
Greyhound transfers control of Motor Coach Industries to its parent.
Greyhound begins using pup trailers to ship parcels via Greyhound Courier Express.
Today our fleet of 93 pup trailers operates from B.C. to Quebec.
1993
Greyhound, VIA Rail and CNR open the restored, historic Vancouver Pacific Central
Station.
1994
Greyhound purchases key Ottawa and Toronto routes from Voyageur Colonial Ltd.
1995
Greyhound introduces wheelchair-accessible coaches and partners in developing the
Intercity Bus Code of Practice, which sets out best practices for providing services
in a safe and dignified manner to travelers with disabilities.
1996
Greyhound Lines of Canada restructures into two companies: Brewster and Greyhound
Canada Transportation Corp. (GCTC).
Greyhound Air begins service to eight major cities, including Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton,
Winnipeg, Calgary, Edmonton, Kelowna and Vancouver.
1997
Laidlaw, Inc. purchases Greyhound Canada Transportation Corp. As a condition of
the purchase, Greyhound Air ceases operations on September 21, 1997.
1998
Greyhound purchases Voyageur Colonial.
2001
Roger Pike becomes Senior Vice President, Operations.
The Canadian Foundation for Physically Disabled Persons gives Greyhound the Corporate
Award.
National Transportation Week selects Greyhound to receive an Award of Achievement
for its contributions to accessibility.
2002
Greyhound signs historic agreement with the National Express Group in Beijing, China
to develop bus transportation in China.
2003
Dave Leach succeeds Roger Pike as Senior Vice President, Canada.
The new Coquitlam, B.C. terminal receives an Accessibility Award from Coquitlam
Mayor Jon D.H. Kingsbury's Committee for People with Disabilities.
2004
Greyhound celebrates its 75th anniversary.