After a week of threats and negotiations, Greyhound Canada has decided to continue running their Manitoba passenger bus routes beyond Oct. 2, their previous date of withdrawal from the province.

The threat of withdrawing from the province, which would have cut off service to nearly 160 cities and communities, has some questioning whether Greyhound is the answer for long-term transportation in Manitoba.

“I do not agree with a government subsidy [to help Greyhound],” said Jim Maloway, member of Parliament for Elmwood-Transcona. “Where do you stop when you’re bailing out private companies?”

Earlier this month, Greyhound was demanding either a $15 million government subsidy or reforms to the Highway Traffic Act, in order to break even on unprofitable routes. Manitoba was targeted, in large part, because the Highway Traffic Act stipulates that Greyhound must run buses in several rural areas in order to operate in higher populated and more profitable communities.

The provincial government has acknowledged Greyhound’s need for assistance and is willing to enter into negotiations.

“This is not an easy issue and not everything is solved,” said Ron Lemieux, Manitoba minister of infrastructure and transportation. “But we must realize that a business that has been in Manitoba for nearly 75 years must make a profit.”

Although working with Greyhound remains the first priority of the province, Lemieux remains open to other long-term strategies for transportation in Manitoba.

 

“ There are many providers interested in providing bus service in this province but working with Greyhound is our first priority right now.

Ron Lemieux, Manitoba minister of infrastructure and transportation

“Greyhound’s decision has given us time to see any options in the short- and long-term,” he said.

One of the options on the table is the idea that a Crown corporation be set up for transit services in Manitoba, similar to Saskatchewan’s inter-city bus service. The Saskatchewan Transportation Company is a Crown corporation that provides bus service to over 260 communities in Saskatchewan, with a considerable profit taken in by the province. Maloway has suggested repeatedly that a public option for bus travel may be Manitoba’s best bet.

“The Saskatchewan company has been around since 1946,” said Maloway. “No one, despite change of government, has changed or dismantled it.”

A partnership between Manitoba and the Saskatchewan company is also being considered, but as long as Greyhound remains in the province and willing to communicate, it is unlikely that a public option will come to fruition.

“[A public option] is one thing we’re considering,” said Lemieux. “There are many providers interested in providing bus service in this province but working with Greyhound is our first priority right now.”

Published in Volume 64, Number 4 of The Uniter (September 24, 2009)