When the Saskatchewan Transportation Company and Greyhound ceased operations, those in Moose Jaw who used the bus services were left on the side of the road.

A private company, Rider Express, is now stepping up and will be offering weekend routes between Regina and Calgary with a stop in Moose Jaw beginning March 13.

“We would like to connect the province together,” said Rider Express owner Firat Uray. “So hopefully there will be enough support for us to run this service continually.”

The bus is scheduled to leave Calgary at 11 p.m. on Friday night, making stops in Strathmore, Brooks, Medicine Hat, Swift Current and Moose Jaw before arriving in Regina at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning.

The bus will then leave Regina at 9 p.m. on Sunday night and making the same stops along the way before arriving in Calgary at 6:30 a.m. on Monday morning.

Passengers will be picked up and dropped off at the Fas Gas Plus on Lakeview RoadPassengers in Moose Jaw will be picked up and dropped off at the Fas Gas Plus at 2-1700 Lakeview Rd. The Regina bound bus leaves Moose Jaw at 7:15 a.m. on Saturday and the Calgary bus leaving Moose Jaw at 10 p.m. on Sunday.

Uray said he is starting with only one bus on the weekends, but he is hoping it will grow.

“Once we build up enough ridership we will add more dates,” he said. “We are hoping by April we can add at least four or five trips.”

This isn’t Rider Express’ first venture into bringing a route through Moose Jaw. He said they tried a few years ago, but the ridership was too low to continue.

“We tried, but the company was new and not many people knew the company,” Uray said.

“Now it’s been over three years and there are enough people who know about the company and we want to provide the service. It’s a much-needed service.”

More information and tickets can be purchased at the Rider Express website.