Before the last provincial election, while on the campaign trail, the NDP promised that they would invest $8 million to help restore inter-municipal bus service in many towns lost after a dispute between Greyhound Canada and the provincial Progressive Conservative government shelved it.
In 2011, Greyhound approached the Alberta government, seeking subsidies for some of its less profitable routes that they claimed were costing the company millions of dollars.
The government refused and instead they opened the door to competition, hoping other private businesses would pick up the slack. Greyhound, up to this point, operated in Alberta under a government deal that protected the company from competition in exchange for maintaining minimum service levels to rural communities.
At the time, we were hopeful a possible cash infusion could lead to Barrhead becoming one of the company’s stops.
Unfortunately it doesn’t look like that will happen now because the company announced July 9 that they would be virtually ceasing all of its routes that service Western Canada, both passenger and freight. Only one route between Vancouver and Seattle survived the purge. The move means 415 employees will lose their jobs and two million consumers will be without a ride.
The company is blaming a 41 per cent decline in ridership since 2010, persistent competition from subsidized national and inter-regional passenger transportation services, the growth of new low-cost airlines, regulatory constraints and the continued growth of car ownership.
Whatever the reason, this move will hurt rural residents, from students who regularly use the bus service as their main source of transportation to get to everything from school, jobs, to medical appointments.
The question for those residents is who if anyone is going to pick up the slack.
In 2017, when Greyhound eliminated service to many Northern B.C. communities the provincial government stepped in to provide limited bus service. Northern Health, the equivalent to Alberta Heath Services’ North Zone, also provides low-cost fares to patients and their companions, needing to go to a larger centre for medical appointments.
Again, as far as we know, Alberta does not have the equivalent and the only other commercial bus line is Red Arrow Motor, which provides service to Lethbridge, Calgary, Red Deer, Edmonton, Cold Lake, Bonnyville and Fort McMurray.
Alberta’s Transportation Minister Brian Mason said that Greyhound’s decision is an issue of “national importance.”
We agree.
He also said the federal government needs to step up and find a national solution that keeps Canadians connected across the country.
On that one, we are not so sure. Certainly they, along with municipal and provincial governments need to be involved in the discussion. And so do other groups, such as Family Community Services, which often help residents, find their way to medical appointments. In the meanwhile we just hope there are groups and businesses who are willing to jump in and fill the void.
