By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

Red Deer MLAs want to keep Greyhound wheels rolling

Jul 23, 2018 | 4:22 PM

Red Deer’s NDP MLAs say they are lending their full support to Premier Rachel Notley as the powers that be search for a solution to the impending closure of Greyhound.

Greyhound announced this month they will cease passenger service in western Canadian communities, as well as Ontario.

Red Deer – North MLA Kim Schreiner says Greyhound service is essential to many Albertans who use it for work, medical appointments or to see loved ones.

“I’m absolutely hearing what they are saying and taking that to Transportation Minister Brian Mason, as well as our premier,” she says. “They’ve reached out to the federal government to maybe have this postponed for six months and maybe have a task force to figure out what we’re going to do when Greyhound closes its doors for good.”

Around six buses travel from Red Deer to Calgary and Edmonton each day. An employee at Red Deer’s Greyhound depot tells rdnewsNOW those buses are usually at least half full, if not close to sold out.

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Each bus holds approximately 45 passengers.

“Premier Notley, MLA Schreiner and I will keep fighting to extend Greyhound’s operations in Red Deer and across the province until there are other solutions in place,” says Red Deer – South MLA Barb Miller. “This is a national issue and we expect a national response from the federal government – which is exactly what our government is calling for.”

During the most recent provincial budget, funding was announced for a pilot project which will provide transportation opportunities for rural communities to connect to larger centres. Though the pilot is beginning in the Camrose and Grande Prairie regions, the government says it is looking at expanding it.

In a statement issued July 20, Notley said that premiers agree this is a national issue and they are calling on the Government of Canada collectively to maintain services temporarily.

“I said we will not leave people stranded by the side of the road,” she said. “And I mean it.”