Thunder Bay MPs react to Greyhound service cuts

JOINT NEWS RELEASE

JOHN RAFFERTY, MP TUNDER BAY-RAINY RIVER

BRUCE HYER, MP THUNDER BAY- SUPERIOR NORTH

*************************** Take action on Greyhound cuts: New Democrats

Intercity bus service an ‘essential’ service to Northern Ontario

THUNDER BAY - New Democrat MPs John Rafferty (Thunder Bay-Rainy River) and Bruce Hyer (Thunder Bay-Superior North) are calling on the Harper government to intervene and prevent the elimination of Greyhound intercity bus service to Northwestern Ontario.

“These service cuts will be catastrophic to the social and economic fibre of our region, and the Harper government must do everything in their power to stop them from happening,” said Rafferty (shown), reacting to today’s announcement by Greyhound that it intends to cut service to every community in Northwestern Ontario and Manitoba within the next 90 days.

New Democrat Tourism Critic Bruce Hyer said if the government stands by and does nothing, this will be a further blow to rural and northern local economies that are already reeling from the forestry crisis and recession.

“In many communities, tourism is one of the only economic engines still running. Scrapping the only intercity bus service to places that already have limited or no train or air service will run rural tourism right off the road,” said Hyer.

The two MPs said the Harper government should do everything in its power to stop the service cuts by offering emergency assistance or loans to the company.

With the loss of VIA Rail to the region and air travel as the only alternative for many, the government should be prepared to do everything it can, including legal action if necessary.

“Local transportation options for people in Northwestern communities have already been slashed under decades of cuts to VIA Rail and skyrocketing gas prices,” said Rafferty. “For many, the bus is the only way they have left to travel out of town for medical treatments, work, and to see family and loved ones. This is much more than just one company cutting service - this is the last option being cut off.”

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