Prince Albert will soon have a new bus service connecting to Regina and Saskatoon.

A third bus company was recently approved by the Highway Traffic Board (HTB) to provide service in Saskatchewan. That company – a numbered entity based out of Regina, plans to operate small 15-20 passenger vans between P.A., Regina and Saskatoon.

The company is the brainchild of Hasan Topal, a Regina businessman who has been running a flooring company. The idea has been brewing for a while, but the cancellation of STC proved to be the push that turned his idea into a legitimate business opportunity.

Topal said he submitted his application to the board “to fill the gap left by STC.

“This idea of mine was initiated before the STC’s closure was made public,” Topal said.

“I found some room for improvement of STC.”

Topal said his company will provide better service, and meet a public need.

“My service is going to be nonstop, as opposed to STC’s exhausting trips, visiting every town along the route, and my cars are going to be much more comfortable.”

Instead of a full bus, Topal’s company, to be called Forward Coach Lines, will run a few passenger vans. Topal said the vans offer a better customer experience and are more city-friendly.

He plans to have vehicles on the road within three months.

For more on this story, please see the July 11 print or e-edition of the Daily Herald.