An interesting thing happened in the weeks leading up to the demise of the Saskatchewan Transportation Company.
In the past week I've heard of three companies announcing they intend to step in and fill some of the gap left by the impending shutdown of STC. Could it be private enterprise might just be capable of offering a more efficient and effective service? Could there be even more entrepreneurs about to launch their own services?
So far we’ve heard of a new shuttle service between Martensville, Warman and Saskatoon offered by AV Shuttlecab of Saskatoon. DiCal Transport of Melville is proposing a service in the Yorkton area running to Regina. But surely the biggest, to date, is the application of Lumsden-based Carpe Diem to the Highway Traffic Board to take over STC’s routes. I’m not certain, but it seemed like they wanted to basically reincarnate STC, with smaller, less expensive buses, under private ownership and operation. Presumably, they would be non-union.
It's ironic they need the approval of the Highway Traffic Board, which regulates buses and similar services in Saskatchewan. Did this board, with its bovine feces "running rights,” protect STC to the point of it never having the business acumen to make a buck? Certainly these operations think they can make money.
About a decade ago I ended up writing a number of stories about a dustup between companies in North Battleford regarding taxi service and limo service that involved the Highway Traffic Board. I couldn’t believe such an entity exists still in this province. If you want to haul freight, buy a semi or a van, and hang up your shingle. If you get the business, you survive. If not, your fleet goes up for auction.
But when it comes to hauling passengers, it’s a totally different matter. You have to get “running rights” for certain routes, and that’s exclusionary to others unless they are also granted running rights. That was what this dustup was about.
To Joe Public, who pays for the highways, all highways, the concept of not being able to use those same highways because someone has regulatory dibs on it is maddening to the extreme. What is this, communist China? Do we need the central committee’s approval to drive a bus? Really? In 21st century Saskatchewan?
Perhaps if STC had to compete with other bus services for the last several decades, we would have a healthier bus system today. The loss of one service wouldn’t be so devastating.
CJME reported, “The HTB may approve an application, but companies are not given the authority to move ahead with their business until proof of adequate insurance is obtained and that there are no notices of opposition. Interested parties have 21 days to file a notice of opposition. If there is, a public hearing is arranged and the HTB listens to all parties and will make a decision on the application after that. All of this process can take up to three months to approve.”
Why the hell in a free enterprise world should anyone be allowed to oppose another person’s business initiative, and have a government body say, “Okay, I guess we’ll stamp it out.” You want to oppose it? Offer a similar or better service at a better price, or shut the hell up.
If Carpe Diem’s application is opposed by DiCal’s, or vice versa, the Highway Traffic Board could snuff out one of the ventures. That, dear folks, is why we have been so reliant on STC. No one else could give them a run for their money, because they had all the running rights. It’s only now, after it folded, we are seeing the rise of free enterprise in its place.
Global noted, in the case of Carpe Diem, “The charter buses would not be liquor-licensed, unlike the limos in their fleet.”
Well, there’s a hell of an idea. What happens on any airliner as soon as the wheels are up? They offer you a drink. Why isn’t this offered on buses? If they can’t make much of a profit on the fare and freight alone, let them offer booze! None of these passengers are driving anyhow. That’s why they’re on the bus in the first place. A couple drinks each, multiplied by half the passengers and suddenly profitability might not be so hard to reach.
It is clearly evident that the bus and freight services offered by STC are indeed replaceable. I do not need to suggest the non-union, private sector can provide the same service and make a profit. Three businesses already have, and are putting their money where their mouths are.
Let’s see where this ride takes us. Maybe soon you can even have a toast to that, too, on your ride to Regina.
— Brian Zinchuk is editor of Pipeline News. He can be reached at brian.zinchuk@sasktel.net.
