Three applications have been made to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board for an inter-city bus service in the Maritimes.

The deadline to apply was Friday.

Trius Tours of Charlottetown has applied to take over a large portion of the route now covered by Acadian Lines.

Acadian Lines, the only inter-city coach line in the Maritimes, is shutting down its service at the end of November.

Two other companies, Red Carpet Shuttle and P.E.I. Express Shuttle, have applied to operate shorter routes.

All of the applications will be heard on Oct. 9 at the board office in Halifax.

Meanwhile, Via Rail is considering integrating its rail service with inter-city buses, president Marc Laliberté has said. Via is talking to bus operators, but Laliberté could not say when the service might be implemented.