Handi-Bus Association discusses unsustainability with town
By John Watson Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Strathmore Handi-Bus Association met with Town of Strathmore council in order to discuss the operations and mandate of the association on an ongoing basis.
A delegation from the Handi-Bus Association presented before council during the Dec. 4, regular meeting.
Preceding the presentation, council voted to waive section 27.1 of the Council Procedure Bylaw 23-17, for the purpose of hearing a second delegation from the Handi-Bus Association within a six-month period in accordance with Section 4.5 of Bylaw 23-17.
“When the Strathmore Handi-bus Association was founded in 1985, its mandate was to provide transportation for those unable to use a car or a taxi. Over time, not necessarily intentionally, the mandate evolved to become transportation of seniors to medical appointments, then to all seniors, then recently just about anyone claiming to be a senior who needed transportation in Strathmore and Wheatland County,” said Brian Grier, speaking on behalf of the Handi-Bus Association. “The number of registered clients grew from 229 in late 2021 to 537 in October of 2024. In the summer of 2024, the board recognized that this was unsustainable and took steps to reduce the number of trips. These efforts proved for several reasons to be inadequate.”
He explained the association cannot continue to operate as it has been over the last three years, as they do not have the financial resources available to them.
Because of this, Grier explained two busses have been taken out of service, rates have been increased, which took effect as of Dec. 1, and able-bodied clients were advised that the association was reverting to its original mandate of providing for the mobility challenged.
“The association board did not recognize quickly enough the increase in client numbers and unwitting expansion of service because of a spare bus, and sharp cost increases over the last three years would create the current situation,” he said. “The measures now taken should be sufficient remedy, but if not, additional steps can be taken. We do appreciate that this has caused considerable concern within the community, and this we regret.”
Grier emphasized the increase in usage volume over the last three years has created difficulties for the association that it was not ready to handle and cannot continue to sustainably operate by. He compared the situation as to asking a volunteer board of directors to operate a large-scale transportation business.
He also apologized for the association having “unwittingly created unreasonable expectations in the community” and wishes to work with the town on a joint statement about the reversion to its original mandate.