What we’re asking for:

We’re asking the government to ensure that the $92 billion in funding already earmarked for infrastructure and transportation is spent wisely; including:

• Reconnecting all communities to safe, affordable bus or train services.
• Daily, on-time passenger rail service across the Prairies.
• The removal of GST on rural and intercity passenger fares, to match urban transit.
• Tax incentives for bus operators to purchase accessible buses.
• A coordinated booking system so that people can make journeys that use several bus or rail operators easily.

What does travel in Western Canada look like today?

Greyhound withdraw all services in western Canada in the fall of 2018, linked to worldwide restructuring at its British parent company FirstGroup.

VIA Rail operates its transcontinental Canadian train only twice weekly, a service from Jasper to Prince Rupert, and the train service to Churchill was restored in 2018 after a two-year hiatus. On-time arrival of the Canadian is not guaranteed due to CN freight trains being given priority.

More than a dozen smaller bus companies are now operating on former Greyhound routes in western Canada, but there are many gaps in service, including along the southern corridor between Calgary and Winnipeg. For example, it would be possible to travel from Regina to Brandon, but it would take several days and involve travelling through Saskatoon and Winnipeg using two different bus operators and VIA Rail.

Because accessible motor coaches are significantly more expensive to purchase and operate than shuttle vans, many of the replacement services are not suitable for wheelchair users, contrary to the government’s stated goal of ensuring an inclusive society where everyone can participate.

Some routes that have been announced in the news have not opened, others have opened and then been withdrawn, leaving communities cut off yet again.

Many services are not using a downtown bus terminal or stopping somewhere that connects easily with local transit.

Short-hop air fares are very expensive, out of the reach of many families even if there was public transportation to the nearest airport.

There is no overall schedule, map, or coordinated booking system, nor is there any guarantee of connectivity between services. It took Transport Action’s team several days to build a map of currently available routes.

Restoring shared terminals and a coordinated booking system would also restore interline package services, which reduce shipping costs for small businesses while also supporting affordable passenger fares.