With bus service in the Maritimes about to hit the brakes, the discussion about how to fill the subsequent transportation void has begun, and there is talk the region’s provincial governments may be getting into the transit business.

Acadian Lines announced earlier this month that it will cease operations by Nov. 30, a move that will strand many riders.

“I wouldn’t be able to take a second trip,” says bus passenger Amanda Robinson. “We’re only going for two weeks. I was thinking about going at Christmas or next summer.”

With the region’s only intercity bus service about to shut down, the governments of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island are weighing their options, and test-driving a publically run system may be among them.

“We need to have a regional service,” says Nova Scotia's Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Renewal, Maurice Smith. “It’s not good to have each of us going off singly on this, so I’m hoping that collaboratively we’ll come up with a solution to replace the service that Acadian Lines was offering.”

“I believe regional collaboration is something that makes a lot of sense,” agrees New Brunswick Premier David Alward. “We know that Acadian deciding to pull out leaves a significant void for P.E.I., Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.”

Talk of collaboration among the provincial governments is being welcomed by observers. They say Acadian Lines’ decision to end its Maritime service presents an opportunity for the provinces.

“Provide a large, organizational body that can actually make sure there’s a frequency and quality of service provided, so that ridership increases,” says Catherine Abreu of the Sustainable Energy Coalition.

Some private operators are expressing interest too but the New Brunswick Liberals say the government needs to act.

“It is possible and there’s a need out there, there’s a business case to be made, we just need to have some leadership from the premier and the minister of transportation of this province,” says Liberal MLA Roger Melanson.

With only three months to go until Acadian Lines pulls its buses from Maritimes roads, riders hope a decision will be made soon.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Andy Campbell