Community rallies to protest STC service cut

“How does scrapping STC secure a better quality of life for the senior who no longer drives, and relies on STC to visit family?” Cline asked. She added university students and people in remote communities are among the many individuals who rely on the bus service.

Protestors gathered outside Battlefords MLA Herb Cox’s office in North Battleford during the lunch hour, waving signs opposing the service cut.

The province announced in its spring budget the service will be discontinued May 31 for passenger use and May 19 for freight.

During the rally a few residents staged a satirical skit to show how discontinuing the service will hurt the community.

Residents attending the rally signed a petition to be sent to the Saskatchewan NDP caucus which opposes the cuts.

During the rally North Battleford senior Carol Crockett said she relies on the bus service to attend medical appointments in Saskatoon, to visit her grandchildren. She added the service is a benefit for those on fixed incomes like herself.

“There are a lot of seniors in the same position,” she said. “Cutting me out of my grandchildren really makes me angry.”

Rob Feist, a local resident and former NDP candidate for the local riding, also attended the rally.

“They are getting rid of the Saskatchewan Transportation Company for no value, which is disastrous and will do a lot of damage to our community and to the provincial treasury,” he said.

People attending the rally were also able to sign petitions organized by the NDP caucus.

“I know people who are cancer patients, seniors in rural Saskatchewan, people in the North,” he said. “It just kills our rural and northern area to lose STC. So many people are going to be hurt by this decision, and by giving this important service away for no value.”

Ann Galay, a co-manager of the bus depot in North Battleford, is also a concerned citizen who is worried how losing the service will affect the community, and result in layoffs.

“What we are concerned about is it’s going to leave the seniors without transportation,” she said. “They won’t have accessibility to doctors’ appointments.”

MLA Herb Cox met with several protesters at his office after the rally to hear their concerns.

“That’s why we live in a democratic country,” he said. “I will take the messages back to Regina as I have in any other instances and I see it as being my job.”

Cox commented the province lost money on the service as ridership decreased significantly over the past several years, and said “it just wasn’t feasible” to continue with funding. At one time the provincial subsidy per rider was about $24, now it is $95 per rider, he said.

“I believe where there is a demand for something somebody will provide a supply,” he said. “We have already had inquiries from several different transportation providers. Tiger Courier has applied to provide freight services. I’m confident somebody from this area will pick up the passenger routes . We have already had applications made to the Highway Transport board because they will be the regulator. I’m confident the people will continue to have the transportation services they need.”

angela.brown@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW

by Angela Brown

Community rallies to protest STC service cut

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