Algoma Manitoulin Kapuskasing MP Carol Hughes says when Greyhound abruptly cancelled several crucial bus routes in Northeastern Ontario and west to British Columbia last week it left a gaping hole in public transportation options for many small communities.
She says in some ways the news is not surprising since public transportation has been in decline in Canada for decades and Greyhound’s recent decision is just the latest in a string of developments that have created a crisis for people living outside of urban centres.
Hughes adds in the short-term, New Democrats are calling for a federal funding plan that ensures there is no interruption or reduction in bus service for affected communities.
She says they are asking the government to team up with the premiers of affected provinces and leaders of affected municipalities to quickly form that plan.
But, apart from the immediate need, the party is renewing the call for the implementation of a National Transit Strategy to expand transport services and ensure that every Canadian has access to transportation.
