HALIFAX -- The president of Via Rail says the company is looking at integrating bus and rail services in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Marc Laliberte made the announcement today at a chamber of commerce meeting in Halifax.

He says the government-owned passenger rail service will look at integrating bus and train schedules, offering all-inclusive ticket pricing and using Via train stations as bus stops.

Laliberte says the company has started talking to bus operators in the Maritimes, but could not say when the service would be implemented.

He says he hopes the initiative will help fill the void when Acadian Coach Lines, the region's only intercity bus line, ceases operations in November.

In June, Via Rail cut the frequency of its Montreal-to-Halifax route to three round trips a week.