About PWTransit Canada

PWTransit Canada is an industry leader in the delivery of safe and customer-responsive contracted transit services to municipalities and transit agencies across Canada

Who We Are

PWTransit Canada is part of the Pacific Western Group of Companies, a privately held, Canadian-owned corporation with over 5,400 employee across Canada.

PWTransit’s employees operate a variety of transit vehicles travelling almost 11 million kilometres annually. Our commitment to safety and customer service excellence includes providing up-to-date vehicles, quality maintenance facilities, and the development of highly-qualified personnel. PWTransit provides a complete spectrum of bus services including:

  • Fixed-Route Transit Operations
  • Custom and Para Transit Operations
  • On Demand Transit Operations
  • Dispatch Services
  • Vehicle Maintenance and Fleet Management
  • Bus Operator Training Program Design and Delivery (MCPCC Accredited)
  • Charter and Special Event Transportation
  • Transportation Management Services

 

“The most important asset any company can have is its front line staff. We invest money, resources, people and hours of effort to create a workforce dedicated to serving our customers. Pacific Western Transportation employees are encouraged to be the front line representatives of the company.”

R.B. Colborne, Founder

Our History

Since its inception in 1957, Pacific Western Transportation (PWT) has grown to become Canada’s largest privately-held people transportation company. Our 5,000+ personnel are committed to the success of our organization and the communities we serve.

The foundation of Pacific Western’s philosophy and commitment to providing exceptional customer service lies in our belief that we are an integral part of the hospitality and service industry and not simply a provider of bus transportation. Our approach to the recruitment and training of our staff, and the delivery of our service was established by Pacific Western Transportation founder R.B. Colborne.

Safely Home

For every employee, passenger, and member of the commuting public we know that the most important thing we do, each day, is ensure we all get Safely Home.

Safely Home is our deep conviction to safety, and it is the ultimate promise we make to each other, to our clients, and to the communities in which we operate. PWTransit is driven by Safety, it is our first Core Value and at the heart of all we do.

Our Core Values

Our Core Values serve as a set of principles that define us as an organization. They guide every action and decision made by our people, informing and supporting everything we do.

Making wise choices, getting everyone Safely Home
Excellence, consistency, and commitment…whether the customer is internal or external.
Valuing the contribution of others with dignity
Honesty towards coworkers and management in job performance.
Contributing to employee morale, inspiring a team attitude.
Collective strength by pulling together.
To the company, co-workers, and customers.
Taking ownership, do what you say and take responsibility
Displaying initiative and innovation in finding ways to get the job done.
By persevering, being a role model for other employees.

Our Senior Management Team

Greg Nichols

Greg Nichols

President, Motorcoach and Transit

Greg Nichols joined the Pacific Western Group of Companies in 2018 as the Vice President of the Transit line of business.  He became a member of the team after nearly 20 years of experience with two of Canada’s largest transportation and logistics companies, including leadership roles in transportation management, marketing & sales, customer services and finance. Greg is a graduate of the Edwards School of Business at the University of Saskatchewan.  Throughout his career, Greg has focused on being of service to his employees so they can deliver safe and exceptional service to their customers.  As President of the Transit & Motorcoach Division, he now leads a team of transportation professionals with extensive experience in passenger transit and inter-city motorcoach operations, safety & security, fleet maintenance, facility management, customer service, and transportation technology.

James Vine

James Vine

Vice President, Transit

James Vine, a seasoned member of PWT/STA since April 2009, held diverse roles over his 14+ years. Formerly managing one of PWTransit’s major divisions in Prince George, BC, he oversaw transit, motorcoach ops, and a maintenance department for 50+ buses. From 2016 to 2023, as Director of Business Development, James propelled impressive growth, doubling transit revenues in five years, achieving a 122% total increase. In fall 2020, he assumed the role of Director of Operations, Alberta, steering pre-contract preparations and launching Canada’s largest on-demand transit service in Edmonton.

Promoted to Vice President, Transit in 2023, James, a University of Northern British Columbia graduate (Bachelor of Commerce), excels in people transportation and operations. Awarded by BC Transit and Mass Transit Magazine, he’s a three-time nominee/finalist for PWT’s Leadership award. Under James’ guidance, PWTransit prioritizes client expectations and maintains a steadfast focus on safety for both employees and passengers.

Tony Angelakis

Tony Angelakis

Director of Strategic Growth & Development

Tony Angelakis has been with PWT since May of 2019 as the General Manager of our Milton, Ontario operation. He joined the company after an impressive 30-year career in various senior management positions in the transportation, logistics and industrial equipment sectors. His past experience includes business development/sales and responsibility for managing major accounts and customer relations for numerous large organizations. In his four years at the helm of our Milton Transit operations, he’s proven adept at contract negotiation, customer relations and labour management/relations, leading our division through difficult facility lease renegotiations, a commercial contract extension with the Town, and collective bargaining.

Tony leads all business development activities of PWTransit Canada and advances important strategic initiatives of the Transit LOB by working with the Transit senior team and/or division management teams across Canada on various projects.

Morgan Smith

Morgan Smith

Director of Operations, Edmonton Region

Morgan Smith joined PWT in 1995 as a transit operator in St. Albert, AB and has gradually transitioned to various leadership roles including Road Supervisor, Lead Supervisor, Service Delivery Manager and General Manager. In this capacity, Morgan led one of PWT’s largest divisions (60+ buses, 100+ employees, 110,000 annual service hours) to long term success and two successful contract defenses through the competitive RFP process.

He is also a graduate of PWT’s internal Advanced Leadership Program. Morgan was promoted to Director of Operations, Alberta in April 2023, allowing him to translate his wealth of knowledge and experience in facilitating strategic growth/development, enhancing efficiencies, leading effective labour management, union negotiations and internal/external relationship management to our seven divisions in Alberta.

Steve Antil

Steve Antil

Director of Operations (BC)

Steve Antil joined PWTransit over 14 years ago and has accumulated over 26 years of total experience in the bus transportation industry.  His PWT career started in a leadership role preparing for operation of transportation services for the 2010 Olympic Games in Whistler, and then transitioned into the permanent role of Service Delivery Manager for Whistler Transit in April 2010. Steve has experience managing transit system operations of various sizes and served as Interim General Manager for Whistler Transit in 2016 and 2017. He has participated in multiple strategic transit system re-designs and innumerable transit schedule changes. Steve is 2018 graduate of PWT’s Leadership Development program and has been recognized both within PWT and by BC Transit for his committed and innovative leadership, as well as his embodiment of PWT’s Core Values. Steve’s portfolio consists of managing and supporting all PWTransit’s BC operations.

Todd Peterson

Todd Peterson

Director of Maintenance

Todd worked for PWT for 14 years in both the Employee and Transit lines of business. Starting as an Apprentice Technician for Diversified in Fort McMurray, Todd became a Journeyman Technician, Lead Technician and Shop Manager until transferring to the Transit line of business in 2011. In Transit, Todd started as Maintenance Manager for Whistler Transit during the period when we were responsible for maintaining the largest hydrogen fuel cell bus fleet in North America before becoming PWTransit’s nationwide Director of Maintenance, a position he held until leaving for BC Transit in late 2017. For the past 6 years, Todd has worked for PWT’s largest Transit client, BC Transit, in senior fleet and facility maintenance roles.

Prior to joining BC Transit, Todd was PWT’s Bowie Sustainable Leadership Award winner in 2016. We’re very excited to have Todd back in our organization and believe the past 6 years with BC Transit have provided him valuable perspectives and experience from outside our group that will be beneficial to us moving forward.

Debra Ayling

Debra Ayling

Director of Finance

Debra Ayling serves as Director of Finance – Transit division for the past five years and has over 25 years of senior financial management experience in both private and public sectors in various industries.  She has an MBA and CPA designation.  She is responsible for Transit’s financial operations and believes the role of her department is foremost to ensure accurate, timely information; as well as, in assisting the division managers to develop and reach their business unit goals.  This is accomplished by ensuring integrity in financial processes and procedures, delivering timely and accurate reporting, maintaining, and reviewing controls and budgets to enhance accuracy and mitigate risk, and strategically collaborating with other team members and stakeholders.

Community Involvement

As a privately owned Canadian company, we have chosen to share the company’s success with our employees, customers, and the community at large. Our commitment to the community is a vital element of the PWTransit business philosophy. All employees are encouraged to take an active role in community volunteer organizations and to support local businesses.

Our community involvement includes:

  • Transit Advocacy Committees
  • Transit Management Committees
  • Transportation Advisory Boards
  • Accessible Transportation Advisory Group
  • Seniors Wellness Program
  • Commuter Challenges
  • First Night Committee (New Years Eve Service)
  • Christmas Seniors Dinner and City Light Tours
  • Canada Day Parades
  • Seniors Community Travel Program
  • Salvation Army Community and School Food
  • Drive Programs
  • Community Policing Action Program (CPAC)
 

  • Corporate Sponsor – Festival of the Trees Event
  • Corporate Sponsor – Prince George Dance Festival
  • Community Service Organizations
  • Whistler 2020 (Transportation Committee)
  • Community Environmental and Sustainability Initiatives
  • Special Needs Orientation Programs – UNBC
  • City Orientation Tours for International Education – UNBC
  • Public Information sessions
  • Student orientation and Career days
  • Transit Ambassador Program
  • McGruff – the “Take a Bite Out of Crime” campaign
  • Preschool Transit Facility Tours