KCTI Travels says they’ve received nothing but support since taking over passenger transportation services in Lloydminster.
Over a year ago, Greyhound stopped its services in Western Canada and KCTI Travel picked up the service which included a route from the Border City to Edmonton and Saskatoon.
The Saskatchewan-based company started its passenger transportation services in Lloydminster last November. At first, they used 15 seat vans but have since upgraded to include 24 passenger vehicles and added more of them.
Manager Jamie Pretty says business is doing well as they are able to fill up the vehicles on many of their routes.
“We have filled the 24 passenger on occasion from Edmonton to Lloydminster and Saskatoon. It’s increased so much that we’re turning people away. We try to have enough room but on occasion, we just don’t have enough.”
She says they’ve had many loyal customers from Lloydminster looking to travel to Edmonton for work or school and ridership is increasing.
KCTI Travels recently expanded and added a new route from Prince Albert to Regina earlier this December. The company runs the route five days a week.
“So far, in the last week and a half, we’re seeing ridership almost increase daily.”
Pretty believes the companies excellent customer service and drives are some of the reasons for their growth in the past year.
“We’re thankful for all the support. All the new customers, all the loyal customers; everybody has been so great to us and without them, we couldn’t have made it this far.”
Pretty says they hope to continue to offer more routes in the future and expand into another province. She notes they’ve also received several requests for a route to and from Yorkton.
The KCTI Travel stop in Lloydminster is at the Shell gas bar at 44 Street and 43 Avenue. Pretty mentions that riders can now purchase their tickets there and that the van runs every day but Wednesday and Saturday.
She reminds travellers to book well in advance during the holidays as seats are being reserved quickly.