More people rode a Saskatchewan Transportation Company bus last year, increasing revenue for the crown corporation.
STC carried 268,335 passengers in 2010, up nearly 10,000 from 2009.
Combined passenger and parcel revenues generated $16.2 million in earnings, up $500,000.
The company attributed the increases to seat sales and its efforts to modernize services.
For example, on-board wireless internet is available on 20 percent of its coaches. President Shawn Grice said STC plans to increase it to 75 percent.
“We’re also planning trial offerings of video entertainment on board,” he said.
Two seniors’ seat sales saw more than 20,000 people take advantage of special fares. A sale during May will allow people older than 60 to ride one way for $10 within the STC network.
A revamped youth pass saw a huge increase in use: only 264 two-month passes were sold at $75 each in 2009 but more than 2,500 passes were sold at a one-month price of $40 last year.
STC receives an annual operating grant from the province. A $9 million grant was authorized grant last year, but the company required only $8.4 million.
