January 19, 2016
Province Pursues Northern, Rural Bus Service Revival
– – –Needs to be Assessed By Independent Consultant: Minister Ashton
The province will conduct a transportation study in an effort to restore bus service to northern and rural Manitobans, Infrastructure and Transportation Minister Steve Ashton announced today.
“We are committed to finding a solution to the lack of bus service in the province that will create government efficiencies and provide public transportation,” said Minister Ashton. “This study will give us help from an independent expert to suggest how to develop an efficient service that reduces government travel costs while restoring service for the public.”
Government departments spend significant amounts on travel, for a wide variety of government services including health care. By contracting a bus service to meet these needs, the government will also be making public bus service available to communities where that service is lacking, particularly in the north, as well as address service reductions made by commercial carriers over the last few years, the minister said.
Significant consultation with government departments to determine their needs, as well as public consultations will take place before the province issues a request for proposals for an intercity bus services contract, Minister Ashton said.
By carefully designing the bus service to meet the needs of government agencies and departments, as well as the potential travelling public, the province will be able to offer bus service using funds that are already allocated for government travel expenses. The aim of the initiative is to be cost neutral at least so that public bus service is available at no additional cost to government, the minister said, adding if successful and ridership is increased, this initiative has the potential to reduce government costs.
“Today we are starting the process to bring this initiative closer to reality,” said Minister Ashton. “The consultant will look at the particulars of potential routes, schedules, drop-off and pickup locations, parcel express service and all other elements that are necessary to determine precisely what will be contracted out to carriers. The goal is to offer public transportation that is fully accessible and is cost neutral.”
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