The wheels have fallen off for plans for a start-up bus company in the Merritt area, for the time being.

Operations manager of Merritt Shuttle Bus Service Gene Field says his business partner died nearly two weeks ago and the company has to restructure.

Field says he would have to re-apply for a license from the Passenger Transportation Board as well, as he missed the deadline of March 8 to have a minimum of two buses insured.

“So I’m not sure what the qualifications are going to be, I’m sure it’s going to be a little more difficult. There are challenges that are in our way, and we might have to put it on hold for a while until our situation changes, but I honestly can’t see that changing in the near future unless of course a miracle happens.”

Field had offered ti run routes in the Merritt area and through the Fraser Canyon to Langley, the Cariboo to Prince George, to the Highland Valley Copper Mine and to Kamloops and Kelowna.

“It was so much bigger than just Merritt Shuttle Bus and the Lower Nicola Valley and the Cariboo region, there were 10 other routes that needed to be filled. We were hoping to be able to do three of those without any funding, we could’ve done it if we had the money to get up and running because I had it all figured out.”

Field says a lack of rural bus service continues to be an important issue for people around many areas of B.C.

“It’s not all about me and our company, it’s about giving these people the service that they need. And from the stories that I heard, especially around Christmas time and stuff, it really kind of hit me home that this is something that is more than just a convenience. This is a definite need.

Field says he’d be happy to work with any private operator looking to start a bus service in the area.