Sask Government Shuts Down 70 Year Old Bus Company

It was started by the government of Tommy Douglas back in the 1940's and now it is no more. 224 people are out of work as a result and rural communities no longer have transportation services. The Provincial Government says the closure was necessary and will save the Province $17 million a year. Decreased ridership has hit the bus business hard with only two of STC's routes being profitable. Ridership is down by 77% since its peak in 1980.

Read more>>

Finance Minister, Kevin Doherty, announced that STC was no longer financially sustainable with financial subsidies estimated at $85 million over the next five years. STC per passenger subsidy had grown from $25 ten years ago to $95 today. In the last five years ridership dropped 35%. Only two of STC's former routes were profitable between Regina and Saskatoon. A Greyhound spokesperson has said that they are assessing the situation and could possibly increase their service in Saskatchewan.

Read more>>