THUNDER BAY — The MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan is worried about the pending suspension of Kasper Transportation's bus service in northwestern Ontario.
The Thunder Bay-based company announced Monday that it will pull its buses off the road on Saturday, May 2, because of falling revenues resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
NDP member Judith Monteith-Farrell reacted Tuesday, saying the announcement raises serious concerns.
"The intercity bus service is critical for seniors and rural communities" that depend on it, she said.
"This will leave families and businesses without this essential lifeline that connects communities."
Monteith-Farrell said the impact will be felt by many, ranging from those who need the bus to pick up medications to those who rely on it for freight shipments.
She said she has passed on her concerns in a letter to Transportation Minister Caroline Mulroney.
"I am asking the provincial government to urgently step in and ensure this service continues for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and that it will continue to provide this transportation service in the future," Monteith-Farrell said.
Kasper CEO Kasper Wabinski said Monday the drop-off in traffic has left the company unable to cover its operating costs.
Wabinski noted that there are numerous fixed costs including insurance, real estate and maintenance.
He said suspending service is "the responsible thing, trying to preserve our ability to operate in the future."
Wabinski hopes government funding will soon be announced for bus transportation.
"They have announced different sources of funding and relief for many different industries...I think that's very critical if the government expects us to be here in two months, four months or six months, whatever it's going to be," he said.
