Not a hoax. Bus service in Canada is pretty much a Greyhound monopoly due these BS laws--and no it's not always more efficient to have only one company. Without competition, prices are always high and seat sales are unheard of. Really pissed me off in the 90's when they shut down the ride share service Allostop, which I used a lot between Ottawa/Montreal/Toronto. Fact: Canada is over-regulated in some sectors and it definitely hurts the public, especially here, since distance buses are usually relied on by lower income folks, students etc. You won't find cheap tickets. Ex: Ottawa-Montreal (a 2 hour ride) is $36.30 one way, no discount return and Ottawa-Toronto (5 hours) is $76.85 one way. Riiiip off! And don't even ask about train ticket$$$. Try Craigslist... but even there people will try to gyp you because they know there are no other options.