The Manitoba government is launching a new, $1.92-million program to support bus and air charter transportation companies that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and public health restrictions.
“Many Manitoba-based charter transportation service companies have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 travel restrictions including restrictions on travel, school and amateur sports, seniors’ clubs and school tours,” said Economic Development and Jobs Minister Jon Reyes. “The Manitoba Charter Transport Recovery Program will allow businesses to apply for funding to help offset some of the costs they have incurred over the past 20 months.”
Each charter/tour bus and charter air-service operator will be able to apply for funding to address costs related to maintaining, restarting or ramping up operations that temporarily ceased or were significantly reduced because of COVID-19 related travel restrictions. Only costs not covered by other relief programs can be claimed under this program.
“For the past 20 months the pandemic has challenged Manitoba’s aviation industry in many ways,” said Joe Vodopivec, president, Manitoba Aviation Council. “We are pleased to have had the opportunity to collaborate with the province with these challenges and look forward to working with the province in the near future.”
“We appreciate the partnership with the Manitoba government to address some of the challenges created by the pandemic for the Manitoba bus operators,” said John Fehr, general manager, Beaver Bus Lines. “We look forward to Manitobans travelling more again and being there to serve them.”
Charter bus operators provide urban and rural services, as well as school and employee transportation under contract. Air charter operators serve remote communities, tourism and business travel.
Additional information on the new program will be posted in the coming days, and applications will be accepted starting later in December, the minister said.
The new program builds on other investments the Manitoba government has made to support businesses, including the Manitoba Bridge Grant program, which has provided more than $295 million in funding to private businesses, not-for-profit organizations, seasonal businesses and registered charities across the province that have been affected by public health restrictions.
Additionally, there have been programs such as:
- $8-million Hospitality Relief;
- $9-million Dine in Restaurant Relief;
- $15-million Digital Manitoba Initiative; and
- $12.5-million Retrain Manitoba.
For more information on government support programs for COVID-19, visit gov.mb.ca.
