Stiff competition in Vancouver's sightseeing business is among the factors that have forced tour and charter bus operator Gray Line West to close its Vancouver operations.
Ian Robertson, a representative of Gray Line West owner Armstrong Group Ltd., told local media that its Vancouver operation was no longer financially viable in the long term.
The closure puts 79 employees out of work, but does not affect Gray Line operations in Victoria and Banff.
Robertson was quoted as saying that spending millions of dollars to upgrade the company's aging Vancouver fleet of motor coaches didn't make business sense.
The Armstrong Group bought Gray Line West from Greyhound Canada Transportation Corp. in May 2005.
Armstrong also operates the Rocky Mountaineer tourist train.