Gov’t post-STC claims ‘fake news’

The continued assertion by our provincial government that private operators will step into the void left by the closure of STC definitely qualifies as a Trump-style fake news item.

After more than 20 applications from potential operators to the Highway Traffic Board (HTB) since the closure of STC, only three companies are offering a partial service with 15-passenger vans, but only between Regina, Saskatoon, Yorkton and Prince Albert.

All applicants were approved by the HTB, which publicly stated it no longer considered its role to involve approval of routes, fares and frequencies. A policy change obviously influenced by the provincial government, which presented Bill 81 to the legislature last November, a bill which effectively eliminates the HTB.

Meanwhile Manitoba,

B.C. and Ontario continue to strengthen and build their provincially supported networks; Saskatchewan has deconstructed a complete system for the sake of a modest $10 million per year, or $10 per person per year.

As recently as Dec. 30, CBC reported winter travel difficulties for citizens without personal transportation, and included comments from small-town residents planning to move to larger centres because of the loss of mobility. If this trend accelerates, this will be another hit to smaller communities. Surely not an outcome this government will want, considering its claim to be the voice of small-town and rural residents.

Soon to be under new leadership, the Saskatchewan Party has the opportunity to restore some credibility to the STC file. A public statement of the sale value of each STC asset sold on behalf of its owners, the taxpayers of Saskatchewan, as well as the value of the commission paid to KPMG could be a start. And what assets remain unsold?

Meanwhile the people of Saskatchewan have the right to keep asking questions to cut through the web of secrecy, mismanagement and a continued reliance on fake news spin. Martin Wooldridge, Edenwold