Hearings began yesterday in Regina for companies looking for the opportunity to take over routes formerly operated by the Saskatchewan Transportation Company (STC).

The provincial government said the continued operation of STC would have cost them $85 million over the next five years, so the decision was made to close the Crown corporation on May 31st.

Carpe Diem, a limousine service made a bid to take over STC's bus routes but later pulled out after receiving considerable backlash from groups wanting to save the service.

Union employees, rural residents and people who relied on the bus service to get around have been opposing the close.

An injunction against the closure of STC was filed in May but later dismissed after the judge ruled the province had the full authority to close the Crown corporation.