The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Flin Flon MLA Gerard Jennissen has taken his concerns about proposed bus service cutbacks all the way to the top. Jennissen has met with Manitoba Transportation Minister Scott Smith to voice his concerns about Greyhound Canada's application to reduce the frequency of bus services in northern communities. "I'm very opposition this," said the MLA yesterday. "It's not like in the city if they run a bus a little less. Up north, your medicine may be coming on that bus. You may need that piece of equipment that's coming on the bus today, not tomorrow." Greyhound Canada has applied to the Manitoba Motor Transport Board to implement a reduced schedule starting March 1. Locally, the schedule would eliminate the overnight bus from Flin Flon to Winnipeg and reduce service between here and Thompson to twice a week. Jennissen has a hard time swallowing the thought of Flin Flon, Thompson and The Pas being linked by bus only on Sundays and Wednesdays. "I don't know of any place in the world where three cities that are vital to a region would only be connected twice a week by bus," he said. "It's just not acceptable." Jennissen also has concerns for people who need to travel to Winnipeg for important matters such as medical appointments. Under the current schedule, he said travelers can miss just a single day of work to take the bus to Winnipeg, as they can ride the night bus to the city, take care of their business and then hop on the night bus back home. Jennissen is concerned also that the health system may face increased costs from paying to have more people flown to Winnipeg rather than taking the bus. "I'm looking at this from a health angle, comfort and convenience angle, a time lost angle," he said. While he believes there would be a serious impact on Flin Flon, Jennissen said smaller, more remote communities like Leaf Rapids and Lynn Lake could be hit even harder. Greyhound has said it understands the importance of the bus service but must also face the reality that passenger demand no longer warrants the current level of service. See 'Finances' P.# Con't from P.# Jennissen said he doesn't know what Greyhound's finances look like but would never ask a company to "go broke" servicing certain communities. If the current schedule isn't profitable, Jennissen said there may be alternatives to be considered, such as a smaller bus for certain routes. Jennissen encourages all constituents who share his concerns to make their voices heard. The Manitoba Motor Transport Board is accepting written concerns until this Monday, Jan. 17. The board may be reached at: Motor Transport Board, 200 - 301 Weston St., Winnipeg, MB, R3E 3H4 The board also accepts faxes at (204) 783-6529. People should include their name and address as well as a detailed statement of how they believe the changes would impact the public.
