Handi-bus looking to raise funds

By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The Strathmore Handi-bus Association is seeking new membership and stabilized funding to help keep their restored operations rolling.

According to association president Alice Booth, the team has seen close to 160 new clients and are making approximately 6,000 trips per month since regaining their autonomy from the Town of Strathmore in February.

Booth added the team’s goal is to gather enough regular funding to lower their cost of service and become more accessible to local seniors and disabled persons. 

“Our clients are on pensions or on AISH. They are getting $1,300 to $1,700 a month. Right now, they’re paying $70 round trip to Calgary and back. If they had to pay more, they couldn’t go,” she said. “We’re trying to get stabilized funding through the county, through Strathmore, the rural towns and with donations so we can start to lower the price in rural areas.”

Lorraine Hammermeister, vice president of the association, explained since restarting their operations in full, the team is also looking to expand what they offer to clients, including weekend and afterhours trips. 

In addition to seeking further financial aid, the association is now autonomous from the Town of Strathmore. 

Booth explained there were a number of factors that influenced the decision, including a risk of losing their status as a charitable organization, having been operated by a governing body.

“It’s totally operated by the handi-bus association … we want to get the word out that we’re fully operational,” said Booth. “We’re back in business.”

Similarly, two town councilors who were not identified, were noted to no longer sit on the board of directors for the Strathmore Handi-bus Association.