By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Bus patrons in Davidson will likely have to continue crossing Highway 11 each time they hitch a ride with the STC.

Despite the circulation of a petition asking the company to consider a new location for the Davidson bus depot, Candace Phelps said STC has no plans to do so.

“We currently have an excellent working relationship with the current agent,” Phelps, the company’s executive director of strategic planning and communications, told the Leader on Thursday.

The Esso station on the east side of Highway 11 currently serves as the local pickup and dropoff point for STC bus passengers, as well as parcels sent using the company’s delivery service.

Last week, a group of concerned residents began circulating a petition asking the company to consider moving the depot to a location within town.

“We feel that if the STC bus service is moved back into town limits, it would be utilized more by both the passengers and businesses receiving parcels,” states the petition.

The petition was initially placed at half a dozen businesses in Davidson, said Larry Packet, who was distributing copies on behalf of some of the customers of his coffee shop and restaurant.

Packet said the current location of the STC agency has been a sticking point for some of his clientele, adding, “They finally decided to do something about it.”

Longtime resident Maurice Merkosky said having the bus terminal on the other side of the highway is inconvenient, since many users rely on the bus because they can’t or don’t drive.

“It’s not handy for anyone in town,” he said. “Convenience is what it’s all about. . . We’re just thinking of the people of the Town of Davidson.”

Eldon Pederson said that when his brother takes the bus from Estevan to visit him here, he has to drive across four lanes of traffic to meet him.

Packet said some of his customers have complained that bus users, many of whom are seniors, have to find a ride to the bus stop or risk walking across the highway.

He said they intend to keep collecting signatures for a couple of weeks before presenting the results to STC.

Previously, the bus terminal was located at the now-defunct SM Gas and Convenience along the north entrance to Davidson.

After SM closed, the terminal moved out to the highway in January 2012, with services provided at the A&W fast food restaurant and Fast Toys for Boys. The terminal has been located at the Esso station since June 2015.

For the full story, please see the Jan. 11 edition of The Davidson Leader.