The German transportation company will begin daily intercity service between Saskatchewan and Alberta starting on July 1.
The German transportation company will begin daily intercity service between Saskatchewan and Alberta starting on July 1. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia Travel in Saskatchewan is expanding now that a German transportation company is making tracks across the Canadian prairies.
FlixBus has been offering various connecting routes in Ottawa and Vancouver after entering the Canadian bus market in 2022. As of July 1, it will be starting daily trips between Saskatchewan and Alberta.
WHY ITS BEING OFFERED
Theres been a demand for more affordable, long-distance travel options in Saskatchewan, which has been a key part of FlixBus long-term expansion plan, spokesperson Karina Frayter said.
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With strong connections to major cities like Calgary, Edmonton, Saskatoon, and Regina, this route provides more options for students, families, and travellers who want a convenient, budget-friendly way to get across provinces.
Frayter said so far, people are excited to have this new travel option.
We hope to continue building strong, meaningful relationships with these communities and local governments, working together to improve transportation options in the region.
By offering shared transportation options like this route, were helping reduce the number of vehicles on the road and giving people an alternative thats better for the environment. Thats been a consistent part of Flixs global mission, Frayter noted.
Daily service will connect Calgary, Edmonton, North Battleford, Saskatoon, and Regina. Pickup points include the Kahkewistahaw Gas and Convenience store near Saskatoons airport and the Victoria Square Shopping Centre in Regina.
PAST SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES
In March 2017, the Saskatchewan government announced it would end subsidies to the Saskatchewan Transportation Company, a Crown corporation that provided interprovincial bus service, due to unsustainable costs, declining ridership and the need to allocate funds elsewhere. Ridership had dropped by 77 per cent since its peak in 1980.
Greyhound, which faced similar issues of rising operating costs, ended its western Canadian operations in 2018 and fully shut down in 2021.
CONCERN FROM LOCAL COMPANY
FlixBus routes will crossover with Calgary-based Rider Express service, which has been operating for eight years. President Firat Uray is concerned about both companies offering the same routes.
The government has to either prioritize local companies or regulate the market again. For sustainable service there is no demand for two bus companies operating the same route and both companies will close their doors after a while, he said.
Uray noted that FlixBus is not based out of Canada, and the government should be supporting local companies.
In Canada, we are the largest country in the world and we have long distances to cover with the buses and less population compared to Europe and the U.S. Suddenly, there is a non-Canadian company entering the market where they think Canada is like Europe, which is the opposite.
We need to be supported, as we are a local company, and the government is not supporting us here, and we would like to continue what we are doing to continue our service, Uray added.
FlixBus operates in more than 40 countries across four continents. Up-to-date schedules can be found on their website.
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