Applications - New Licences
Special Authorization: Inter-City Bus Licence Applications

What do I need before I apply for a Passenger Transportation Licence?

All applicants must obtain a safety certificate in the legal name of the applicant, with a satisfactory rating, issued by a jurisdiction in North America before making application for a Passenger Transportation Licence. Safety certificates are known by different names, depending on the province, territory or state that issues them; for example, in British Columbia the safety certificate is know as the National Safety Code (NSC) certificate.

Information required for a Special Authorization: Inter-City Bus Application

In addition to a safety certificate in the legal name of the applicant, the following information is required when applying for a Special Authorization: Inter-City Bus, Passenger Transportation Licence:

  • Completed PT5010: Special Authorization Licence Application. A copy of this form can be obtained from the Passenger Transportation Branch or downloaded in the Special Authorization: Inter-City Bus Materials section below.
  • Completed PT5002: Signing Authority (included in the Special Authorization Application Package – PT5010) including specimen signatures for everyone authorized by the applicant to correspond with the Passenger Transportation Branch and/or Passenger Transportation Board regarding passenger transportation matters.
  • Completed PT9004: ICB Forms Package (including the ICB Application Summary and ICB Route Worksheet forms). A copy of this form can be obtained from the Passenger Transportation Branch or downloaded in the Special Authorization: Inter-City Bus Materials section below.
  • Demonstrate that a public need exists for the proposed Passenger Transportation Service. Refer to section 3.3 and Appendix G of the Passenger Transportation Board Application Handbook for additional information on this requirement.
  • A Business Plan (including Financial Statements) reflecting the nature of the service proposed in the application and the level of comparable competition in the proposed service area. Refer to section 4.2 and 4.3 of the Passenger Transportation Board Application Handbook for additional information on this requirement.
  • Disclosure of any ownership interest in a different company or organization that provides passenger transportation by motor vehicle (an optional sample form is included in the Passenger Transportation Board “Sample Forms” Package – PT9002). Refer to section 4.9 of the Passenger Transportation Board Application Handbook for additional information on this requirement.
  • A Sample Time Schedule for each proposed route detailing your intended service. Refer to section 4.8 of the Passenger Transportation Board Application Handbook for additional information on this requirement.
  • An Agent Letter of Authorization – If an agent has been hired to prepare the application, the Passenger Transportation Branch requires a signed letter by the applicant that authorizes the agent to act on behalf of said applicant.
  • Payment of the $200 Application Filing Fee. Note: The application filing fee is non-refundable once an application has been accepted by the Passenger Transportation Branch.
The filing of an application does not confer any permission or authority to operate a passenger transportation service. Applicants are advised to delay the purchase or lease of vehicle(s) until approval for a passenger transportation licence is obtained.

Special Authorization: Inter-City Bus Materials

The PT5010: Special Authorization Application Package - (125 KB PDF) is an 8-page document which has been designed to assist you with the application process. All relevant sections must be completed and submitted along with all supporting documentation (detailed in the information requirements section of the application package) before you application can be processed.

The PT9004: Inter-city Bus (ICB) Forms Package - (74 KB PDF) is a 5-page document which has been designed to assist you with the Inter-city Bus application process. All relevant sections must be completed and submitted along with all supporting documentation before you application can be processed.

Additional Information for Special Authorization Licence Applications

Several additional sources of important information are available to assist with the application process. You are encouraged to review this information while completing your application. All the information is available online:

The PT9001: Passenger Transportation Board Application Handbook - (268 KB PDF) is a 42-page document created by the Passenger Transportation Board (Board) to give "special authorization applicants" information about application requirements, the application process and how the Board makes decisions. The Handbook is organized as a reference guide.

The PT9002: Passenger Transportation Board “Sample Forms” Package - (125 KB PDF) is a 12-page document created by the Passenger Transportation Board (Board) which contains sample forms that applicants may use when applying to the Board for special authorization to operate passenger directed vehicles (PDVs) and/or inter-city buses (ICBs) in British Columbia.

The Sample Terms & Conditions for Special Authorization Licences - (95 KB PDF) (http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/ptb/Info/Sample_T&C.pdf) is a 14-page document created by the Passenger Transportation Board (Board) which contains samples of terms and conditions that applicants can use as a technical reference when applying to the Board for special authorization to operate passenger directed vehicles (PDVs) or inter-city buses (ICBs) in British Columbia.