Residents of northern Manitoba communities will have more transportation options starting soon, now that NCN Thompson Bus Lines has announced investment in new routes from Winnipeg to Flin Flon through several communities including The Pas.
The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce visited NCN Thompson’s new bus terminal building in The Pas last week, where the Thompson-based company shared news of its new routes and commitment to investing in Manitoba’s north. Chuck Davidson, MCC President & CEO, helped out as emcee at the announcement and ribbon-cutting event to support the company, which is a Manitoba Chambers of Commerce member.
The company’s expansion will add regular Monday to Friday, daytime passenger service beginning April 1 to connect Flin Flon, The Pas, Swan River, Dauphin, Portage la Prairie and Winnipeg. It also recently began freight and charter services in the region.
“When we started this company about six and a half years ago, we had one employee and one bus. Our original goal was to create a safe, reliable, comfortable transport service from northern Manitobans, for northern Manitobans,” co-founder James Pelk told the crowd gathered for the announcement. “We’ve come a long way: today we have 12 buses, 27 employees and now another building here in The Pas. Last year we moved over 33,000 people and travelled over a million kilometres. We’re all very proud and excited for the future.”
Having more options for travel will be very welcome to northern Manitoba residents, some of whom don’t have their own vehicles and need to rely on bus service for medical travel and to connect with their own families, Andre Murphy, Mayor of The Pas, told us.
“It was a big eye-opener for many residents of Northern Manitoba when we lost the last bus service. When I heard that NCN Thompson Bus was coming to town it was great news,” Murphy said at the event. “Welcome to our community.”
The bus depot in The Pas, which NCN Thompson purchased and is redeveloping, will be its third facility in the province, including in Thompson and Winnipeg. The expansion will also create jobs for northern Manitoba, with seven new staff based in The Pas already being hired (four bus drivers, two bus depot staff and a mechanic for The Pas). All seven are Indigenous, along with more than half of the company’s 27 current staff members based in Thompson and Winnipeg.
“This ground transportation expansion signifies the importance of partnerships, working together and striving to achieve economic reconciliation between the business community, local Governments and First Nations. This is an opportune time to celebrate and embrace Economic Reconciliation for all people as Northern Manitoba continues to grow economically,” said Ed Vystrcil, CEO, Nelson House Development Corporation. NCN Thompson Bus Lines’ parent company is Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN).
“Our expanded services will support community members, individuals traveling for medical purposes, local organizations, schools, sports teams, and more,” Pelk said. “This investment underscores our company’s dedication to providing northern Manitoba with safe, dependable, and accessible transportation solutions. Supporting northern Manitoba was our vision from the start, and it will continue to be our vision.”
“This expansion aligns with our founding principle of being the best service provider in Manitoba by connecting Manitoba in best possible way. We’re invested in the community here in The Pas and across northern Manitoba, and we’re proud to provide connectivity, economic reconciliation, and employment options,” said Sid Varma, COO & Partner, NCN Thompson Bus Ltd. “We look forward to continuing to serve the north as we celebrate this new chapter for NCN Thompson Bus Lines.”
More details about the new routes can be found online soon at www.thompsonbus.com
Pictured in photo above, from left: Chuck Davidson, President & CEO, Manitoba Chambers of Commerce; Councillor Shirley Linklater, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN); Dan Quesnel, President, The Pas OCN Chamber of Commerce; Elder Yvonne Hart, NCN Thompson Bus board member; Jonathan Lalonde, Economic Development Office, The Pas Community Development Corporation; Ed Vystrcil, CEO, Nelson House Development Corporation; Chief Angela Levasseur, Nisichawayasihk Cree Nation (NCN); Councillor Edwin Jebb, Opaskwayak Cree Nation (OCN); Derek Hart, Associate CEO, NCN and NCN Thompson Bus board member; Sid Varma, COO & Partner, NCN Thompson Bus Ltd.; James Pelk, Co-Founder, NCN Thompson Bus Ltd.; Andre Murphy, Mayor of The Pas.
