The service was used by people of all ages for a variety of reasons. (Derek Cornet/larongeNOW Staff)

By Derek Cornet

on the road

Funding dries up for La Ronge to Prince Albert shuttle service

Apr 5, 2023 | 4:47 PM

A shuttle service between La Ronge and Prince Albert came to an end last week, pending the approval of more funding.

The service, operated by La Ronge’s Kikinahk Friendship Centre, began in October 2022 after executive director Ron Woytowich was successful at finding federal funding to pay for fuel and wages for drivers. The shuttle operated Monday to Friday excluding holidays with the last trip being March 29.

“A lot used it for medical reasons,” he said. “Some of them had appointments with specialists or may have a dental or chiropractic appointments or something like that. Some also used to go and see people who were in the hospital.”

Other reasons people utilized the service were to attend school or court, to access social services, shop or visit inmates at the Prince Albert jails.

“There were a lot of people going to school and they wanted to come home on the weekend to La Ronge,” Woytowich said.

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“On Friday, we would be really busy, but what really screwed it up, is we did not go back on Sunday. If I get further funding, I need to run one on a Sunday because those students who are there and would like to come to La Ronge on Friday need to go back on Sunday.”

If further funding is secured, Woytowich noted he’d also like to run a bus route to Saskatoon once or twice per week.

The buses used are designed for 14 passengers and Kikinahk was able to purchase them for other reasons before the shuttle service launched.

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derek.cornet@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @saskjourno