April 21, 2006
STC Sees Passenger Numbers Rise For The First Time in 16 Years
The Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC) saw the number of passengers it carried
in 2005 increase by almost 9,400, or about 3.6 per cent, compared to 2004. This
follows 15 years of decline in passenger numbers, the company's 2005 Annual Report
reveals.
"While the high cost of gasoline for the latter half of the year undoubtedly contributed
to this increase, an aggressive, targeted advertising campaign and innovative programs
like the Centennial Youth Excursion Pass played an important role in this success,"
Minister responsible for STC Eldon Lautermilch said. "This increase in passengers
underlines the fact that Saskatchewan people continue to see STC an important service
to rural Saskatchewan."
"There were a number of exciting projects undertaken by STC during 2005. A new passenger
and freight depot and head office facility was approved for construction in downtown
Regina, the company started a small-scale experiment in the use of bio-diesel fuels,
and the Centennial Youth Excursion Pass allowed a great number of young people to
spend some time during our centennial summer touring our great province."
In 2005, STC travelled some 3.2 million miles, servicing 275 Saskatchewan communities
and carrying more than 267,000 passengers. The company saw increases to its passenger,
express and charter revenues during the year, and the operating subsidy it received
from the Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan was $3.5 million, $200,000
less than the subsidy received in 2004.
"While STC continues to run a number of routes where the passenger count is too
low to recover the cost, I think it is important for the people of Saskatchewan
to have access to this service. The subsidy paid to STC is money well spent so long
as Saskatchewan people have access to this service to meet their needs for travelling
for medical, family, business and other reasons," Lautermilch said.
The company lost about $5.4 million, an increase of about $700,000 from the previous
year. Increased fuel and salary costs were primarily responsible for this.
For more information, contact:
Todd MacKay
Acting Director
Strategic Planning & Communications
Saskatchewan Transportation Company
Phone: (306) 787-6807
Email: Contact Us