City of Cold Lake Mayor Craig Copeland has reached out to neighboring municipalities including the town of Bonnyville, to initiate a conversation about the future of rural busing in the region and explore potential support for struggling private bus lines.
During the May 13 Bonnyville council meeting, acting CAO Renee Stoyles presented Copelands letter, which proposed forming a working group to assess regional interest in influencing the Government of Alberta for rural transportation support.
“Mayor Copeland is asking for feedback from communities in the region on the need and support for the establishment of a working group,” said Stoyles.
Copeland noted concerns raised by Cold Shot, a private bus company serving the northeast which has mentioned it may not be able to maintain current routes without assistance. He argued that backing private bus operators is the most cost-effective way to prevent vital transportation links for rural residents. “Support for private industry willing to serve rural communities would provide the largest service possible at the smallest cost to the taxpayer,” Copeland wrote.
Town councillor Byron Johnson supported the discussion, saying, “Not having rural bus routes right now does hurt our area quite a bit, it doesn’t hurt to have that conversation to see if it’s something that maybe has a solution.”
Mayor Elisa Brosseau echoed the need, citing healthcare-related travel challenges. “Once they get discharged, they’re left in that municipality… so this would be a good way to help that sector of the population,” she said. Brosseau confirmed she would attend the proposed meeting on behalf fo the town, though no date has been set.
