Challenges for Handibus service

Sharon McLeay
Times Contributor

 

Some financial resources for the Handibus service have been difficult to secure this year, and representatives came to Wheatland County on May 17 to secure additional funding for the much needed service.
Florence Vander Velde, secretary treasurer for the Strathmore Handibus, reminded council many of the seniors using the service from Strathmore once resided in rural communities.
“Yes, most of our clients live in Strathmore; however, it is not their desired choice. They live there because they have outlived their physical capabilities. There is not one of us that are looking forward to the day we can no longer drive or become dependent again. Many residents end up living in Strathmore due to aging or failure of health, but their hearts are still in the place they call home. Being able to visit that place, seeing the changing country or how the farming progresses is the lifeline to their community and souls,” said Vander Velde.
The association asked for $35,000 per year for three years, which was an increase of $10,000 over previous years. Vander Velde said that the town of Strathmore gives the association $175,000 towards wages and donations and grants and fundraising make up the balance of money needed to run the service. This year an expected grant was not received, leading to a shortfall in finances.
The service has a focus to provide transportation for medical trips, which are usually to and from Calgary. They try to provide for social needs, but can only do so as services permit. They saw 6237 clients served in 2015. Six per cent of those calls were outside of Strathmore, in Wheatland County. They have seven vans that provide 6 am to 6 pm service, with the only wheelchair-accessible public transportation available in the county.
To extend service to 9 p.m. and weekends, an additional $200,000 would be needed and those funds are not currently available. They only charge $60 return for trips from Strathmore to Calgary. A regular taxi fare for a similar trip costs $100 to $300. Alberta Health Services was approached for help in the past, but continues to provide no transportation support for medical appointments or delivery home from hospitals.
Vander Velde gave several reasons why seniors could not drive themselves and outlined why the Handibus services is a safer, better choice.
“Our service is not just about transporting clients in a safe manner, it is about treating our seniors in a dignified and respectful way as valued citizens that they are and deserve,” said Vander Velde.
Council awarded the association $35,000 for 2016 and instructed staff to work with the association to come up with a more equitable funding formula. It would be presented to the towns and villages in the county, who will meet sometime in June or July of this year.
“Your funding should be more dependable,” said Reeve Glenn Koester. “To always have to beg for funding is not right. How can we come up with a way to equally spread this responsibility over all our residents?”