TRAVELLERS WILL BENEFIT FROM NEW STC DEPOT IN REGINA

Released on July 14, 2005

The Saskatchewan Transportation Corporation (STC) announced today that it will build a new bus depot and head office in downtown Regina.

"STC's current facility is around 50 years old. It has served Saskatchewan travellers well for those years, but it is no longer sufficient for the job," Minister responsible for STC Maynard Sonntag said. "A new facility will better serve the needs of the company's customers and staff, and will be one more enhancement to downtown Regina."

The cost of the new facility including land is estimated at $14.5 million. By comparison, renovating the current depot would cost approximately $2 million just to bring it up to building code and accessibility requirements and it would still be inadequate in terms of age, space and comfort for travellers.

"A new facility is the best all-around solution, and I am pleased to announce today that work will proceed shortly toward that end," Sonntag said.

"The Crown Investments Corporation is supplying STC with a grant of up to $2.2 million at this time to assemble the land required for a new facility," Crown Management Board Minister Pat Atkinson said. "This will allow the company to get on with the detailed planning needed, and to move onto the contract and construction phases."

A firm budget will be presented once plans are finalized.

"One of the core commitments of the Crown Investments Corporation is quality service to the customers of our subsidiary Crowns. The CIC Board feels that this new facility will assist STC in ensuring that quality service," Atkinson said.

"This is an exciting announcement for Regina," Mayor Pat Fiacco said. "Making the Regina Downtown community more competitive helps attract new residents and businesses which, in turn, benefits all of Regina's residents and business community."

The new facility will be built along Saskatchewan Drive between Broad Street and Osler Street, with a significant presence on both Saskatchewan Drive and Broad Street. The bus lanes will extend down Osler Street. Target for opening of the new facility is late spring/early summer of 2007.

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For More Information, Contact:

John Millar STC Regina Phone: (306) 787-6807