Greyhound not picking up old STC routes

Greyhound has no plans to expand its bus service in Saskatchewan.

The company, which serves 1,100 locations across Canada, had an agreement with the now-defunct Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC).

From more than 200 communities, STC would shuttle people to North Battleford, Saskatoon, Yorkton, Swift Current, Moose Jaw and Regina, where they could catch a Greyhound bus out of province.

In a statement, Greyhound said it would continue to operate along the Trans-Canada and Yellowhead highways.

“We are currently evaluating, not only our operations, but the 174 communities that STC served,” Greyhound stated. “However, at this time we have no immediate plans to pick up any additional routes.”

If someone wants to travel from Regina to Moose Jaw, for example, or from Saskatoon to North Battleford, those routes are still options, according to Greyhound’s online schedule.

Until Sept. 29, Greyhound will continue to use STC depots. The company says it is working to secure “convenient, safe and accessible” facilities for passenger pickup and drop-off thereafter.

With the provincial government’s closure of STC, 10 companies have applied to the provincial Highway Traffic Board for operating authority certificates. One company — Regina’s Carpe Diem — withdrew its application last week.

The certificates are required for any individual or business transporting passengers for hire in a car, limousine, van or bus.

The Highway Traffic Board has received opposition to the applications and is hosting public hearings as a result. Five opponents spoke Tuesday in two hearings.

The next hearing is Thursday at the south Regina Travelodge.

Applying to amend their existing operating authority certificates are: Alsask Bus Services from Alsask, Engelheim Charter from White City, and Southland Transportation from Humboldt.

Applying for new operating authority certificates are: Rider Express Transportation from Regina, Navy League of Canada from Regina, Crown Cab from North Battleford, Hasan Topal’s company from Regina, DiCal Transport from Melville, and Vanbango Party Bus from Kindersley.

The Highway Traffic Board can grant a certificate with or without specific route information.