Aurora Charter Service currently offers a three-times-a-week one-way trip from P.A. to Saskatoon, and a one-way trip in the other direction twice a week.  (submitted photo/Victor Hoosein)

By Glenn Hicks

bus business

P.A. to Saskatoon bus service not dead as company pulls out

Oct 10, 2019 | 3:22 PM

The machinations of the free market and one company’s rejection of the city’s business licensing regulations may yet spell good news for Prince Albert passengers in need of a reliable bus service to Saskatoon.

As Rider Express Transportation gets set to end its daily return service tomorrow, a new operator looks to take some advantage.

Aurora Charter Service started its offerings from P.A. last month and, given the news about Rider Express, now expects that to result in a surge in customers.

“Yes it would, if they are pulling out,” owner Victor Hoosein told paNOW on learning that Rider Express was ending its service. While his 15-seater buses currently head to Saskatoon three days a week and come back to P.A. on the other two days, he said things might expand soon. He also offers a service to La Ronge.

“It’s not a same day [return] service at the moment, but we’re hoping in the future we can do that,” he said. The cost of a one-way trip is $35 before tax. Hoosein said while he operated 15-seater vehicles, he could only accommodate 10 passengers because the extra room was needed for freight and parcels and he did not yet have the trailer-towing capacity.

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Rider Express told paNOW Wednesday it would be pulling out of the city Friday after running for more than two years since the demise of the provincially-run STC. It argued it should not have to pay for a business licence, in part as it was offering a much-needed service for the public. They added they did not want to pay for such a licence at every town or city along their various routes. The City of P.A. said all businesses needed a licence and the company could secure a so-called transient business licence for $500 a year.

Hoosein and Aurora said they acquired such a licence and the cost fitted their operating business model.

“I have a business licence in Prince Albert, La Ronge and Rosthern at the moment. As we progress with other locations we will acquire the business licence as necessary,” he said.

Aurora Charter Service has a Facebook page detailing their schedule.

There has been disappointment and frustration from passengers to news of Rider Express’ departure but the mayor said the city had to be fair and equal to all businesses who offered a service.

“I’m sad, but I believe they’ll figure out a way to still operate because they do have a big client base in P.A.,” Mayor Greg Dionne told paNOW. “But, we have other companies that supply the same service and these other people pay their licence fee upfront and have no issue with it.”

Dionne said Rider Express paid its business licence fee for 2017 and 2018 and he was surprised that in its third year of operations the owners refused to pay. He noted $500 a year should not be a hindrance to a successful business.

“It’s sad, but at the end of the day it’s their decision, not ours.”

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glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

On Twitter:@princealbertnow