Handibus keeps essential hours

Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor

 

A Strathmore special needs family was questioning why nighttime service could not be provided by the Strathmore and District Handibus to educational opportunities. The service had been used in the past and they questioned why it was no longer available.
Councillor Rocky Blokland addressed this and similar concerns at the Sept. 16, Town of Strathmore council meeting, clarifying the hours of operation and mission goals for the Handibus.
“The Strathmore Handibus is there mainly for transportation to and from medical appointments. It is stated in the mission statement,” said Blokland.
The organization set summer operating hours in July of 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Sept. 21, which is consistent with other Handibus organizations in the province.
The Handibus has been struggling to meet its patient obligations as the service is well used. They have doubled up patient loads to maximize service times, but are still delayed by wait times experienced in Calgary, occurring around medical appointments. There are only two full-time drivers and five part-time drivers. Blokland gave examples of how staff have gone above and beyond, sometimes working more than their shifts, to accommodate the needs of the patients. They also ensure that evening hospital patients from Sagewood are returned to the facility. They are averaging approximately 600 trips per month.
Alberta Health Services were approached in the past for support on medical transfers; however, no support was forthcoming. The Strathmore Taxi was open to providing a van for night service; however, the province wanted the owner to make an upfront investment of $70,000 for the vehicle, which the owner said he could never get back in fares.
Blokland said the Handibus organization must also manage their financial, staffing and six bus maintenance and equipment needs, in order to remain viable and serve the public. Last year it cost $300,000 to keep the organization running.
He said the organization gets a lot of positive feedback from its users and has only had two complaints last year, each dealing with transportation to social engagements.
The board meets on Sept. 21 and will be discussing the hours of operation at that time. The Strathmore and District Handibus is a volunteer operation that is a separate entity from the Town of Strathmore and Wheatland County, and which raises operating funds through grants and donations (including those from the town and county).