We have some exciting news to share! Southland Transportation is honored to announce that we have been awarded nearly half of a major Special Needs Transportation contract. This marks a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to providing safe, reliable, and high-quality transportation services to students and families in the region.

As part of this contract, we will be operating 51 routes serving multiple schools in the Halifax Regional Municipality.

This expansion reflects the confidence our client has placed in us, having been a trusted service provider in the region for nearly five years, and we couldn’t be prouder. Our team’s dedication, professionalism, and exceptional service are what make this possible—thank you to everyone who has contributed to our success.

 The months ahead will be busy as we gear up for the start of service in September. We are committed to ensuring a smooth transition and are actively working to build a strong team to support this expansion.

We are excited about this opportunity to expand our presence in the Halifax region and to continue making a positive impact on students and families. Thank you to our incredible team for your hard work and dedication—your efforts do not go unnoticed.

Today is Pink Shirt Day, a national day to stand-up against bullying. To help bring awareness to this important initiative, PWT and STC team members from across Canada donned their rosy attire.

Check out this terrific slideshow featuring a SEA OF PINK SUPPORT!

To display our Dedication and Safety to our passengers, drivers from SOUTHLAND Transportation in Calgary shuttled nearly 17,000 local students and teachers to the Saddledome on February 26th for the annual #Be Brave anti-bullying event, where the Swift Current Broncos faced off against the Calgary Hitmen. Check out the video below!

You can also click this LINK to check out more of our incredible employeess wearing their Pink Shirt or Hoodie!

The Pacific Western Group of Companies is proud to welcome Sparksman Transportation to our family. With a strong history of service, commitment to safety, and deep community involvement, Sparksman Transportation is a perfect fit for our organization. They also share our passion for providing reliable, customer-focused transportation solutions.

A Legacy of Service and Growth

Established in 1997, Sparksman Transportation has been a trusted transportation provider in the Wood Buffalo region, serving Fort McMurray, Fort McKay, Anzac, and Janvier. More recently, Sparksman expanded its operations into the Town of Athabasca in 2018, offering service to Athabasca, Boyle, Grassland, Thorhild, Smith, Smoky Lake, and Slave Lake. What began as a small student transportation provider with fewer than two dozen buses has grown into a fleet of over 125 units, operating just over 100 daily school bus routes, with a staff of 150 employees.

This impressive growth reflects Sparksman Transportation’s unwavering dedication to delivering safe, efficient, and cost-effective transportation services. Their team of staff and trainers collectively brings over half a century of experience, ensuring students and community members receive the highest level of service.

A Commitment to the Communities They Serve

Sparksman Transportation plays an essential role in providing daily school bus service for seven school authorities. Operating 61 routes from Fort McMurray and 42 routes from Athabasca, they ensure that students arrive at school safely and on time. Their commitment to public service extends beyond school transportation, with two rural transit routes connecting Fort McKay, Anzac, Janvier, and Conklin to Fort McMurray.

Driver Training School

Sparksman Transportation also operates a Driver Training School and provides class 2 training to over 100 students annually, the vast majority of which are private paying students who want to obtain their license to work elsewhere. By leveraging the income provided by these paying customers, we save on the cost to train our own drivers.

Emergency Response and Disaster Relief

One of the defining characteristics of Sparksman Transportation is their unwavering commitment to community support during emergencies. In 2016, they played a critical role in evacuating students during the full city-wide evacuation of Fort McMurray. Again in 2020, they provided transportation for people displaced by flooding. Most recently, Sparksman swiftly executed the evacuation of all schools in Fort McMurray during the May 2024 wildfire threat.

In addition to evacuations, Sparksman has provided transportation services to restoration crews working in disaster-affected areas. They supported firefighters and employees from multiple restoration companies by transporting them from Edmonton to Fort McMurray and ensuring daily transportation to and from work sites. Their involvement in recovery efforts extended to communities like Chipewyan Lake, John D’Or, and Fox Lake following devastating wildfires. These efforts reflect the company’s deep sense of responsibility and dedication to the people they serve.

Leadership and Industry Expertise

At the helm of Sparksman Transportation is President Mark Critch, a highly respected leader in the transportation industry.

Mark not only oversees the company’s operations but also serves as the President of the Alberta School Bus Contractors’ Association (ASBCA) and sits on the Alberta Student Transportation Advisory Council (ASTAC). His leadership ensures Sparksman maintains its high standards of service, safety, and customer care.

Mark is the contact person for designated contractual matters and a the direct liaison to the RMWB. He has the full authority to bind the company and provide direction and policy for Sparksman Transportation.

General Manager and Company Safety Officer Tim O’Hara brings extensive experience in transportation, public education, and leadership. With a background in transportation management for school divisions and a strong advocacy for public education, Tim has been instrumental in Sparksman’s growth and success. He also serves as a Trustee for the Fort McMurray Public School Division and holds leadership roles in provincial education organizations. His expertise in safety, training, and operations ensures Sparksman continues to deliver top-tier service.

In 2020, Tim was recognized alongside his wife, by Your McMurray Magazine as one of the recipients of 2020’s Top 50 Under 50. He oversees the Operations, Human Resources, Safety, Finance and Training Departments, serves as the company’s Safety Officer and Internal COR Auditor. Tim is also an Alberta Transportation licensed driving instructor for Class 2 driver training and for the School Bus Driver Improvement Program.

A Bright Future Ahead

With Sparksman Transportation now part of the Pacific Western Group of Companies, we are poised for even greater success. Sparksman’s strong foundation, dedicated leadership, and experienced team make them a natural fit within our organization. Please welcome them aboard!

Four Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo community members were celebrated for their significant contributions to the region at Council’s Excellence Awards ceremony on Monday night. 

Among the honourees was veteran Diversified driver/driver trainer Nadeem Aslam, whose heroic actions saved 25 lives on June 23, 2024, while driving a Fort McMurray Minor Baseball team home from Slave Lake. 

Nadeem received the Everyday Hero Award for his actions after his bus was struck by lightning, which immediately blew the front tires and caused the back tires to begin losing air. Nadeem was able to steer the bus to a stop with no injuries to any passengers. 

Council presented certificates to recipients of the four award categories: Citizen of the Year, Everyday Hero, Indigenous Advocate and Youth. 

“It’s clear to me that the greatest resource in this region has always been our people,” said Mayor Sandy Bowman. “We congratulate the winners and all those that were nominated during what was a record year for community participation. Thank you to everyone that took time to express how much these people are making a positive difference to those around them.”

Congratulations, Aslam, on this well-deserved honour. Your exemplary driving skills, quick thinking and focus on safety resulted in everyone getting Safely Home.

Standard Bus Yukon provided guests with a spectacular fireworks show to accompany the Aurora Borealis on the Northern Tales Travel Services Inc. Aurora Borealis Tour this past New Year’s Eve. 

Northern Tales provides several specialized wilderness tours in Whitehorse and the surrounding area. Standard proudly transports Northern Tales’ guests on several tours, including the popular Aurora Borealis Viewing Tour. 

Standard Operations Manager Pierre Laurin says the gesture is Standard’s way of thanking the ownership team at Northern Tales for being such a valued partner.

“Northern Tales is a tremendous partner, and we are proud to have provided this unique experience to their guests.”

Northern Tales co-CEO Aaron Ratko says: “We have always been grateful for our partnership with Standard Bus. Northern Tales & the Yukon community is stronger when we lean on each other and Standard Bus is a consistent pillar of support to our business. The contribution from Standard to our New Year’s Eve Celebration was the ‘cherry on top’ of a great night and another great year of friendship.”