Dear Editor
I am writing in response to Brian Zinchuk’s Top of the Pile column from the June 15, 2017 Regional Optimist entitled “If you love it so much, why don’t you buy it.”
Mr. Zinchuk, there are a couple of reasons why no one has bought STC: 1) We, the people of Saskatchewan, own it! 2) It was never put up for sale because to do that would have required the government to go to the owners, the people of Saskatchewan, with a referendum asking us if we wanted it sold.
As for the people whom you refer to as “obstructionists” and “those who oppose everything,” I am grateful that these concerned citizens, on their own time and at their own expense, are participating in the Highway Traffic Board process and ensuring that requirements for safety and accessibility are met. People are going without service, not because of people objecting, but because of a government that was hell bent on getting rid of STC, as quickly as possible, without having any plan for replacing it. The Highway Traffic Board has no reason for existing “in the 21st century”? Since when did ensuring the safety of paying passengers become outdated? Do you honestly believe that there should be no checks on the qualifications and safety plans of private companies wanting to transport passengers? You say that you would “rather drive as would most of Saskatchewan.” The fact is, Mr. Zinchuk, that not everyone has that luxury. STC is an essential service for many people and people are upset and angry. You say people should just stop complaining and let the many companies who want to provide service “have at it.” The problem is that the service that is being offered comes nowhere close to the service that STC provided. The HTB scheduled hearings are finished. There may be more applications to come, but, of the eight companies that have applied so far, none have applied to provide transit services in any areas north of Saskatoon. The situation is unacceptable. People are resorting to hitchhiking. It is not too late for the government to do the right thing and reinstate STC. Perhaps the question that you, and all of us, should be asking is this: Why has the SaskParty government not pursued the federal money that is available for funding transit?
Elizabeth Cline
North Battleford
