Lloydminster MLA Colleen Young says she sympathizes with people who relied on Greyhound buses, but operational costs associated with the service could be spent elsewhere.
“I think people would have to try to understand the operational costs and how significant they are. That money could be better used for healthcare, social services, education some of those priorities. I’m hoping that with the time that there will be other options for people to be able to get to other areas of the province with some sort of public transportation.”
Greyhound announced the discontinuation of services on Monday, however, they aren’t the first bus company to shut down operations in Saskatchewan. The Saskatchewan Transportation Company seized their freight and passenger services in May due to the provincial government’s budgetary restrictions.
Young says that in Lloydminster they have never had STC so Greyhound has been the main public transportation coming through the city. She adds that there are other options for residents once Greyhound closes their routes such as the care-a-van service provided by the Health Foundation.
“I know that out care-a-van service has had a huge uptake since it’s been implemented and people I would suggest contacting the health region or the city who is part of the care-a-van office if they really need rides to the city for medical appointments.”
Young says her government was informed about the closure the same day Greyhound made their public announcement.