The new year is going to be brighter for many local seniors in the community who face transportation challenges.
A seniors community bus will now be available for senior-serving non-profit community groups to book for outings.
Heather Treleaven, coordinator of the Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Katzie, Seniors Network, noted that transportation can be one of the biggest barriers that keeps seniors from participating in social events in the community.
The Age Friendly Community Task Group of the seniors network identified the need for a seniors bus during community consultations back in 2015, explained Treleaven.
Since that time, the group has been fundraising and researching opportunities to secure a bus for seniors programs.
“It isn’t an easy problem to solve. Bus sharing and rental programs in several neighbouring communities have folded during that time,” said Treleaven.
Community services has been operating a very successful seniors activity program, informally known as the seniors party bus, since 2016, which relied on volunteer drivers because they had no actual bus.
This program now has more than 300 registered participants, confirmed Treleaven.
“The bus will mean groups like community services, the seniors network, and Ridge Meadows Seniors Society can offer more outings and potentially shopping trips to nearby centres,” she added.
Last year, the City of Maple Ridge offered to sell their youth services bus to the seniors network, community services, and the seniors society for a fraction of the cost. It is a 22 passenger bus, that can accommodate up to two wheelchairs.
Local seniors non-profit organizations can now rent out that bus at a rate of $2 per kilometre plus $35 per hour. Trips must be booked a minimum of two weeks in advance, although four weeks is preferable.
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The city will be providing a parking space and maintenance for the bus for the next 48 months, and ICBC has offered small grants towards the cost of insurance.
As the groups enter the new year, said Treleaven, their collective will be exploring opportunities for sponsorship.
Ridge Meadows Seniors Society has taken on administration of the bus – including hiring a driver, overseeing maintenance, and producing financial reports.
Joanne Leginus, with the seniors activity program, said they have used that particular bus in the past for their outings.
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“It’s been great for doing outings that our outside of our community, which we haven’t been able to do for a while,” said Leginus, noting that lately most outings have been local in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows.
Now, she said, they will be able to explore other communities more.
The bus was already used by the Maple Ridge, Pitt Meadows, Katzie, Community Response Network to take seniors on a holiday light tour in the community.
“For the last how many years we’ve called out program the senior’s party bus without a bus. We have used that one a couple of times, but I know that it’s definitely a need for other non-profit groups that love to take seniors out and engage with the community and take them for longer rides. This will be a great opportunity,” said Leginus.
To book the bus, people can go online to: rmssseniors.org/bus-rentals.