Women in danger due to loss of STC

Women in Saskatchewan will be irreparably harmed by the Wall government’s decision to get rid of STC.

Safe, affordable public transportation is necessary to ensure the unhindered and independent movement of women in this province. When pursuing education, seeking employment, raising children alone, providing caregiver services within their families or escaping abusive relationships, women are in grave danger without it.

This is especially true for women living in rural and remote parts of our province.

The Highway of Tears in British Columbia has been linked to a lack of safe public transportation. Women and girls resorted to hitchhiking and predators moved in. Which highway in Saskatchewan will become our Highway of Tears following the loss of STC? Or will it be all our highways?

Elderly women are placed in desperate situations with the loss of STC. Saskatchewan has a high proportion of seniors living outside of our cities: 35.6 per cent of people over 65 live in rural Saskatchewan (the national average is 16.8 per cent).

Our rural population is aging faster than our urban population and women make up a larger proportion of seniors living in rural Saskatchewan.

STC was providing safe, affordable transportation across Saskatchewan. The safety of solid vehicles on winter roads. Well-maintained, mechanically sound vehicles. Professional drivers with proven safety records, First aid training and deescalation training to deal with confrontational situations. Terminals with safety patrols, clean bathrooms and food services where you could safely wait for transfers.

This is of utmost importance to the independence and freedom of choice for all women in Saskatchewan, but especially women living on low incomes.

We desperately need STC.

L.E. Reimer, North Battleford