Greyhound Bus Pulls Operations Out of Canada After 100 Years

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Greyhound bus just seems like part of the fabric of America. That’s why it is hard to imagine it not being the same in Canada. Nonetheless, Greyhound bus has announced it has permanently stopped its service in Canada entirely. Greyhound bus has been servicing mostly rural Canada for almost 100 years.

Greyhound was used to connect rural Canadian communities to larger cities

A view of GREYHOUND logo in the South part of Edmonton | Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images

The COVID-19 pandemic is being charged with Greyhound’s abrupt pull-out. It had already stopped servicing western Canada back in 2018. Greyhound bus was mostly used as a way to connect rural Canadian communities to larger cities.

In a statement, Stuart Kendrick, senior vice president of Greyhound’s parent British transport operator FirstGroup, said, “A full year without revenue has unfortunately made it impossible to continue operations.” Greyhound Bus in the US will not be affected by the move according to Reuters. 

Greyhound USA offers express services across the Canadian border

a Greyhound bus
A Greyhound bus departs its terminal | Photo by Tim Boyle/Newsmakers

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Greyhound will resume express services across the Canadian border once the border opens back up. Right now entry is restricted due to the pandemic. But service back and forth across the border won’t extend farther into Canada. 

“We know that many Canadians depend on this service,” Omar Alghabra, the federal transport minister, said in a statement. He expressed disappointment in Greyhound Canada’s closure. He went on to say the Canadian government would help provinces find alternative operations. 

That flies in the face of recent criticism of the federal government. Critics want Canada to find better ways to connect rural areas to more urban centers. Airlines like Air Canada and Westjet have stopped service to many rural sections of Canada in recent years. So this move by Greyhound continues that worrisome trend. 

“Operations are not feasible absent of financial support”

two bus travelers
Two weary bus travelers | PAUL RATJE/AFP via Getty Images

Greyhound began service to Canada in 1929. But in recent years it had been looking for government assistance to invest in inter-city bus services. Neither the federal or provincial governments had made the investment. “Operations are not feasible absent of financial support,” the statement added. 

So, another victim of COVID-19 bites the dust. It is only the latest in a steady drip-drip of business closings the pandemic has unleashed on many businesses all over the world. Who could have imagined 18 months ago a pandemic having so much effect in so short of a time? 

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If Your Teen Wants an SUV, Buy the 2021 Subaru Forester

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Watching your teen drive off for the first time is one of the hardest things for a parent. And though you might not want to buy your newly minted driver a brand-new SUV, a model loaded with safety features could change your mind. And you don’t need to spend a fortune. The 2021 Subaru Forester offers plenty of safety features, and you can get one for around $25,000. It has even won some impressive safety awards.

The 2021 Subaru Forester is a safety winner

RELATED: The 2021 Subaru Forester Is Far From the Best in This Area

Safety is one of the most important considerations when choosing an SUV for your teen. MotorTrend recently compiled a list of safe but relatively inexpensive cars for teens. The 2021 Forester is the first SUV on the list, and a big reason is its high safety marks.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded the 2021 Subaru Forester with its highest designation: Top Safety Pick+. The Forester also earned a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with a 4-star rollover rating and only a 16.9 percent rollover risk.

Safety comes standard with the Subaru Forester

One of the reasons the 2021 Subaru Forester won those safety awards is because of its driver assists that come standard. Advanced safety features on every trim include adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic high beams. Higher trim levels add blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert.

Additionally, every Forester has Subaru’s EyeSight active safety suite. EyeSight acts as an extra pair of eyes on the road, which is a nice feature to have in your teen’s SUV. It isn’t like a video baby monitor where you can actually watch your teen drive (sorry), but it uses dual color cameras to watch the road for danger and then react if the driver doesn’t. In addition to pre-collision braking, it also features pre-collision throttle management, which reduces engine power to minimize impact force and damage.

The higher the trim, the higher the price

RELATED: Today’s Subaru Forester Is Cheaper and Better Than It Was 20 Years Ago

It makes sense that the more extras you add, the higher price you’ll pay. But you don’t always need the highest trim to get the features you want and need. A base-model 2021 Subaru Forester starts at just under $25,000 and comes with many advanced safety features.

The next trim level up, the Premium, starts at just under $28,000, and the only difference in safety features is the Starlink Safety and Security system that comes standard. This provides access to things like automatic collision notification and enhanced roadside assistance, but it requires a subscription and comes with only a six-month trial. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert are not standard, either, but they’re optional add-ons.

The highest trim, the Forester Touring, starts at just under $35,000 and comes standard with everything the two lower trims have as options. But the only other differences are reverse automatic braking and the DriverFocus Distraction Mitigation System. This alerts the driver if their face turns away or their attention is perceived to be wavering; however, clothes and hats sometimes affect its accuracy, so it might not be worth the extra $10,000.

Choosing an SUV for your teen can be difficult, but the 2021 Subaru Forester is a solid choice that’s safe and fairly inexpensive. It’s also one of the best compact SUVs overall. If you have to let your teen drive off on their own, it might as well be in one of the safest SUVs that also doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.

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Dale Earnhardt Jr. Saved Money When Re-Purchasing One of His Father’s Old Cars: ‘I’m a Tight A–‘

by Gabrielle DeSantis

NASCAR fans can still likely see and hear Dale Earnhardt Jr. driving his trademark No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro in front of a packed crowd.

The NASCAR legend hasn’t raced in the Cup Series since November 2017, and he’s put off any realistic hopes of a full-time comeback. But even during his racing career, Earnhardt Jr. had begun assembling an extensive car collection, including one of his father’s former vehicles.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. bought his father’s old Chevy Nomad

NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. saved money when he re-purchased one of his father’s old cars. | Chris Graythen/Getty Images

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As the son of NASCAR icon Dale Earnhardt, Dale Jr. always had to live in his father’s shadow while embracing Dale Sr. as a father and another driver.

Although he tragically died after crashing at the 2001 Daytona 500, Dale Sr. left a profound impact on his son’s interests. Dale Jr. provided Men’s Journal with a tour of his car collection in 2014. Among the cars, Earnhardt said, is a Chevy Nomad with a white roof. 

Although it may not be flashy, he felt drawn to buying the car for nostalgic purposes.

“It’s just a huge old bird. My father had one in his collection, and that was probably my favorite car, the one I always gravitated to when I went and looked at his cars.”

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

Earnhardt did not specify how much he paid on the car, but he hinted he didn’t have to spend much.

“It’s a cheap car, you know, because I’m a tight ass,” Earnhardt said. “I don’t like to spend a lot of money.”

Earnhardt Jr. has developed an extensive car collection

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Earnhardt has spent years collecting all types of cars from different eras, and anyone who likes cars might feel envious when they see what’s in his garage.

Besides the Chevy Nomad, he owns a yellow Corvette from a 2001 race at Daytona. That event marked one of the final times that he and his father competed against one another.

Older cars in Earnhardt’s collection include a 1967 Chevy Camaro and a 1976 Chevrolet Laguna. He also owns a 1948 TK pickup truck, one that often deceives the eye. The exterior is teal with signs of rust and what he referred to as “imperfections.” However, a quick glance at the interior shows a vehicle with a rebuilt drivetrain and a new chassis.

Earnhardt Jr. earned over $400 million in his racing career

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After dealing with concussions during the 2016 season, Earnhardt Jr. announced in April 2017 that it would be his final season as a full-time driver.

When Earnhardt announced his impending retirement, Forbes valued his career earnings at $410 million. Forbes combined Earnhardt’s salary, endorsements, and “his share of licensing and race winnings during his nearly two decades on the track.”

Earnhardt has invested money over the years on everything from classic cars to a Wild West ranch. At least he can sleep at night knowing that he didn’t have to spend too much on the Chevy Nomad.

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AAA Says to Do This to Prevent Breakdowns on Road Trips

by Gabrielle DeSantis

As more people get vaccinated against COVID-19, more are looking forward to this summer. It’ll be a great time to head out and explore. But before embarking on road trips, travelers should make car safety a priority and get their vehicles serviced to help prevent problems on the highway.

Service your car before road trips

RELATED: Can Your Car Handle a Road Trip?

AAA recommends servicing your car before leaving on a road trip. In a 2015 study, AAA found that maintenance can help prevent most breakdowns

In 2014, AAA members called for help 29 million times, AutoGuide reported. Battery failure, flat tires, and keys locked in the car were 17 million of those calls. There were more than 2 million calls for engine problems and 600,000 for transmission failures. More than 500,000 calls were for running out of gas, and 235,000 calls were for brake failure.

AAA also found that 35 percent of U.S. car owners skip or delay recommended services and repairs, making them more vulnerable to vehicle breakdowns.

The most common kinds of breakdowns on road trips

Drivers tend to experience some of the same common problems that cause breakdowns. Firestone Complete Auto Care describes several of them. People deal with flat tires and dead batteries. They also deal with mechanical issues, including brake problems, transmission failure, or engine failure.

The car could also run out of gas. Avoid this problem by filling up before the low-fuel warning light turns on. It’s also common for people to get locked out and call AAA if the key fob battery dies. In 2015, 4 million people had this happen and called AAA. Pack an extra battery or fob to take care of this situation quickly. Luckily, many of these problems are preventable.

Check these car parts to help prevent breakdowns

A week before you leave on your road trip, check the following parts:

  • Tires: Check the tire pressure and the tire tread. Don’t forget to check the spare tire, too, if you have one. Get new tires if your tread is worn.
  • Battery: To avoid a dead battery, get it checked to make sure it’s charged. Car batteries generally last two to five years, so definitely get it checked if it’s more than a year old.
  • Brakes: Have the brake pads, rotors, drums, and brake fluid all checked. Brake problems are important to avoid because they could cause a safety issue.
  • Transmission: Check the transmission and the transmission fluid. This is especially important if the car has any odd sounds when in neutral or leaks.
  • Engine: Make sure the engine is performing properly. It’s imperative to get it checked if the “check engine” light is on. Check the oil, and get an oil change if it’s close to being time. A hot engine in the summertime needs all of its oil.
  • Steering and suspension: Check the steering, the suspension, the ball joints, and the tie rods.
  • Cooling system: Check the whole cooling system, CarTalk suggests. That includes the radiator, belts, hoses, cooling fans, heater core, water pump, and coolant.
  • Air conditioning: Check the A/C to make sure it works properly and has enough refrigerant. Not only is this important for your comfort on a long drive, but also the belt that powers the A/C often also powers other parts, including the water pump that keeps the engine from overheating.

Ways to prepare for breakdowns

You can do a few other things before leaving on your road trip to prepare for breakdowns. If your car doesn’t have a spare tire, consider buying a kit. For $150 to $300, you’ll get a tire, jack, and lug wrench in case your vehicle gets a flat tire.

Make an emergency kit for your car. Include a first-aid kit, jumper cables, distilled water, a battery charger, wire, tools, and reflectors or flares, Travel + Leisure suggests. Be sure you know how to use the jumper cables. You might also want to bring extra coolant and oil.

There are also a couple of things you can do while on the road to help prevent breakdowns. Don’t drive too fast, and if the temperature gauge goes up, try turning on your car’s heat to draw the heat away from the engine.

If you’re prepared, you can enjoy summer road trips and avoid problematic breakdowns.

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