Manitoba will extend its service maintenance agreement with Greyhound Canada, maintaining existing bus service in Manitoba for another year. This announcement was made by Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton.
Manitoba will provide Greyhound with up to $3.9 million to continue the service until March 31, 2012.
“We have just completed our consultation process with other jurisdictions and with Manitobans from all over the province,” said the minister. “We’ve heard that bus service is important to Manitobans and we are committed to making changes, where appropriate, to help new and existing operators improve their viability and provide opportunities for new service while minimizing reductions.”
Following a meeting of the Council of Transportation Ministers last fall, an Intercity Bus Services Task Force was struck to examine the future of the bus industry in Canada. The final report recommended provinces review their current legislative and regulatory frameworks, a concept which was generally supported in public consultations here in Manitoba, the minister said.
The Manitoba consultations report is now being finalized and will be available in the coming weeks.
“We acknowledge the current system is unsustainable in the long term, but change takes time and we want to ensure any changes produce the best outcome for Manitobans,” said Ashton.
In September 2009, Greyhound Canada announced it would cease passenger services in Manitoba if it did not get government support. Since January 2010, Manitoba has been investing in maintaining the service while a long-term solution is developed, given the role the service plays in delivering government services and programs, particularly in rural and northern Manitoba.
