The transport board had the first day of the hearing over licensing Fed Bus. The pro licence lawyer called witnesses to testify that Fed Bus was better than Greyhound giving reasons like convenience, price, and that commission goes to Feds. The other lawyer cross-examined witnesses to try to minimise the differences saying that the bus company was going to offer the same routes to Toronto and saying “so price is the only difference?”

There were some funny exchanges during testimony.

Lawyer 2: Has the bus ever had to brake suddenly?

witness J: You mean … at a red light?

[...]

Lawyer 2: How long does it take for you to take the bus to York Mills?

witness J: One hour and forty-five minutes.

Lawyer 2: How much faster would the other bus be to York Mills?

witness J: That bus company doesn’t get me to York Mills?

Lawyer 2: I’m not too good at reading schedules. It [the proposed schedule] says it leaved at 14:30 and arrives at 15:45. How long is that?

witness J: That’s one hour and forty-five minutes.

Lawyer 2: That’s actually one hour and fifteen minutes.

witness J: I don’t think that’s possible because of traffic.

Lawyer 2: Is the applicant’s proposed service immune from traffic.

[...]

witness M: I took the bus home at Thanksgiving. there were 60 buses. If the other bus company can guarantee that number of buses, I have no problem taking them.

[...]

Lawyer 2: If you buy your ticket and you can’t go, do you get your money back?

witness M: You buy your ticket on Wednesday. It’s only two days, but I understand your point.

[...]

Board member: If the two services were identical, which one would you choose?

witness M: They would be the same, it wouldn’t make a difference.

Board member: If the two services were the same except for the comfort.

[...]

witness M: It is exam time. If this was a month earlier this place would be packed. It would be the greatest disservice not to licence the bus. Everyone uses this service, all 22,000 students.

[...]

witness C: I was told that my student card was not valid ID.

[...]

Lawyer 1: What is your financial situation?

witness C: Bleak.

[...]

Lawyer 2: How much would a ticket to your destination cost?

witness C: I checked the the other bus company website this morning it is $77.85 return.

Lawyer 2: It is $25.80

witness C: That is to Toronto.

Lawyer 2: This is the direct service from Waterloo. How much do you expect it would be?
witness C: I’m hoping it will be less than $77. I hope it will be less than $30. That information hasn’t been made available to the public yet.

Lawyer 2: Do you know what the student fare is to your preferred destination?

witness C: There is no student fare from Waterloo to Mississauga.

Lawyer 2: Have you ever used the washroom on the other company bus?

witness C: I don’t want to use a bus washroom.

[...]

witness Y: The bus is a big part of the culture at the school.

[...]

witness Y: The bus company has gone out of its way to develop a relationship with students.

[...]

witness Y: I was supposed to get back at 4, but didn’t get back until late that night. I did use the washroom, but only to cry and throw up.

[...]

Board chair: You’re only supposed to answer questions.

Lawyer 1: Do you have anything else to say?

(witness Y expessed disappointment in the other bus company and wondered why they didn’t consult with students)

(Lawyer 2 said that the indignation was a little out of place and that the company had approached the student organization long ago)

Lawyer 1: If I told you it was a few weeks ago, would that be long ago?

Lawyer 2: How about a year and a half ago?

So that was part of day one. I missed the rest of the day.