Marg McCuaig-Boyd has joined the call for a national response to Greyhound’s western Canada pullout. The Dunvegan – Central Peace – Notley MLA is concerned about the company’s decision to stop all passenger and freight service in Alberta.
“Many folks around here rely on bus service to get to necessary medical appointments, visit family and friends, or deliver important packages. It was already bad when people living in our region had to drive for over an hour to Grande Prairie first if they had an important appointment in Edmonton. Now, they’ll lose that option entirely.”
Greyhound announced the cuts on July 9th, raising concerns among rural and First Nations communities. Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and other premiers are calling on the federal government to work with Greyhound to temporarily maintain services until those affected can come up with alternatives.
“This is a critical issue of national importance,” says McCuaig-Boyd, “so we’re standing up for rural and northern Albertans, making sure the federal government hears their concerns, because we cannot and we will not leave them stranded on the side of the road.”
The County of Grande Prairie is already working with the communities of Sexsmith, Clairmont, Wembley, Beaverlodge, and Hythe to create a regional transit service pilot project that would connect residents to the City of Grande Prairie’s transit system. A route to Sexsmith and Clairmont is expected to start this fall.
The Municipal District of Spirit River has also gotten provincial funding to increase its Family and Community Support Service van service between Spirit River, Rycroft and Grande Prairie from one day a month to three days a week.