Dear Editor
With all the recent hype over the STC losing money and the increase in cost of operation, there is now talk of privatization, like privatization is the magic solution to everything. Privatization is not the solution to anything as far as I'm concerned. Brad Wall has pretty much sold us down the river and pats himself on the back.
I'm suprised how many don't know the difference between a crown (or commission) and a corporation. The mandate of one is to provide a service and create jobs, albeit with subsidies. The mandate of the other is to screw it up so to make the most profit possible for themselves and the banks who have the holdings. See www.soscrowns.ca.
I use the STC four or five times a year, but even if I didn't, I like to know it's there for me and everyone else whether we use it or not. Here is one example: I left my truck at Kramer Auctions (Highway 16), because I drove a tractor home. My wife doesn't drive, so I rode my bike to the bus here and took the bus right to Kramers (via Saskatoon). Perfect.
The recent cost of $10 million included expansion, new buses and drivers. I'd guess it should be less next year, but even if it isn't, $10 million is not a lot for a top-rate transit system in a growing province. I worked for a transit system that cost several billion per year, paid for by the city (Toronto) and the province. Our electric power bill alone is $20 million!
So I say leave, the STC alone and let's use it more! It's there for all of us!
Ross Hingston
Landis
