Hampton writes MTO over busing

Hon. Harinder Takhar
Minister of Transportation
OPEN LETTER
Recently Greygoose/Greyhound has applied to discontinue its scheduled bus service between Winnipeg and Fort Frances. This would leave communities in the Rainy River District without any bus service.
Greygoose/Greyhound argue that because of new security restrictions imposed by the United States at the U.S.-Canada border, freight and bus parcels can no longer be carried on this bus route as it enters the U.S. briefly to get from Rainy River, Ontario to Manitoba. The bus company argues that the loss of freight and express parcels on the bus route renders it economically non-viable.
Winnipeg serves as an important health centre for people in Northwestern Ontario. People, especially seniors, who have to get to medical appointments in Winnipeg will have no other viable route to get to Winnipeg by bus, nor are there any other affordable options. There is a growing seniors population who will need to get to Winnipeg to see medical specialists. This bus route is not just there for convenience. It is becoming more and more a health care necessity.
Also more and more high school graduates from this area are choosing to study in Manitoba due to the proximity and lower tuition costs.
For these two reasons I would argue that the number of passengers using this bus route will increase in the coming years.
Minister, I am asking you to review the Greygoose/ Greyhound proposal to eliminate this bus route. You were unwilling to review the proposals to reduce service earlier this year, now this situation is much different. Several communities will have no bus service if you allow this bus route to be cancelled. As the Minister responsible for Transportation in this province, I ask you to visit this area of the province and hear from people who will be affected and do everything in your power to keep this bus route operating.
Sincerely,
Howard Hampton, MPP
Kenora-Rainy River