Deregulation of rural busing will cost cons

June 29, 2011

Alberta’s NDP Opposition leader Brian Mason says the PC government is failing rural Albertans by deregulation of inter-community bus services, which is sure to reduce or eliminate services.

 “The PCs are severing a lifeline to rural and remote communities that passengers and small business depend on,” Mason says. “We ask thousands of Albertans to work in rural areas in service to important industries, so we must assure transportation is available. Plus, small businesses could be left paying more for parcel shipments, or waiting longer for deliveries.

 “The government admits their policy jeopardizes bus service to some communities, and they admit they will do nothing to make sure services continue.”

 A study in Manitoba found that costs for overnight or same-day parcel delivery would skyrocket from $40 to as high as $700 per delivery. It also calls alternatives to bus transport “extremely expensive”.

 Mason points to the Crown-owned Saskatchewan Transportation Company, which serves hundreds of routes, among them typically unprofitable northern and remote bus routes, as a practical solution to maintain bussing service levels that the Tories ignored.

 “Where business can’t provide an essential service, government must step in. We see a strong transport system in Alberta as key to keeping rural communities vibrant and driving our economy,” Mason says.

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