An end date has now been announced for the Blaine Lake-to-North Battleford Saskatchewan Transportation Company bus service.
Last week, the Highway Traffic Board approved STC's request to discontinue that service following a 90-day review process. The Blaine Lake to NB route is approved for immediate discontinuation by the HTB, and will see passenger and freight service end as of May 18, 2013.
The Regina-Lanigan route is also approved for discontinuation as of Jan. 1, 2014 while the Eastend-Swift Current/Mossbank service was also approved for discontinuation on the same date.
All three routes were earmarked for discontinuation by STC with low ridership blamed. When STC announced the routes were being cut earlier this year, it was noted they averaged two or fewer riders per trip over the past five years.
The cuts prompted a reaction of disappointment from North Battleford mayor Ian Hamilton, as well as vocal opposition in the legislature from the NDP who claimed the route cuts risked leaving riders stranded for medical appointments.
But highways minister Don McMorris defended the decision to end the money-losing routes during Question Period in March, saying "tough decisions have to be made."
