Taxpayers’ group to STC: ‘Shut it down’

REGINA – A taxpayers’ advocacy group has one idea for cutting back on the provincial government’s spending: sell off or shut down the Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC).

Todd MacKay, prairie director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, was reacting to the province’s mid-year financial update that forecasts a $262-million deficit.

“It’s not going to turn around. It needs to go.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It's not going to turn around. It needs to go."

“My personal opinion is we should trim spending for a failed bus company,” MacKay said. “Any business that (is subsidized at) $10 million a year really isn’t a business the government should be in.”

READ MORE: Should Saskatchewan reconsider Crown corporations?

STC has been provided millions in capital grants in recent years, while offering millions more in subsidies. Despite those efforts, ridership and revenue have declined.

View image in full screen

“We know how to get to town on our own. We don’t need the government’s help,” MacKay said.

The service, which operates a fleet of 43 buses throughout the province, increased fares by 4.5 per cent in February and has already cut a few of its less travelled routes.

MacKay notes STC still hasn’t turned a profit in decades.

“It’s not going to turn around. It needs to go.”