Court hears arguments for putting brakes on STC closure

Lawyers will argue in a Regina court today about whether the brakes should be applied to the provincial government's plan to permanently take the Saskatchewan Transportation Companyoff of the road.

Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1374, which represents more than 200 STC workers, is asking for an injunction halting the planned demise of STC on May 31.

A victory for the union would buy the imperilled service more time and trigger a judicial review of the government's contentious decision to shutter the bus line.

• Union for STC workers taking province to court over bus service closure

The union's main argument is that the government's move violates the province's Crown Corporations Public Ownership Act.

"In the court action, the union provided evidence to the court demonstrating that the sudden closure of STC operations, without any prior assessment of the implications of such a decision, will have very harmful effects on citizens, especially rural and remote residents of Saskatchewan," read a press release issued by the union local on Wednesday.

'Sad province at this time,' says STC fan

Asked for a preview of the government's own position Thursday, Transportation MinisterJoe Hargravesaid he'd let the government's lawyers make their points Thursday.

Disabled northern Saskatchewan resident Gary Tinker was at the legislative assembly Wednesday to show his support for the continued operations of STC.

"It's more convenient for me. I can relax on a bus," said Tinker, adding that his support of the government has wavered because of the steps taken to shutter STC.

"It's a sad province at this time. I'm not excited about this government, really," he said.

Hargrave defended the move, citing low ridership and the ability to redirect money spent on STC to other services.

"Eighty-five million to $100 million over five years that's a lot of money that we can use forother core services of the government like social services and education," he said.

Today's hearing at the Court of Queen's Bench for Saskatchewan in Regina begins at 10 a.m. CST.