Battlefords Handi-Bus service has acquired a new bus.
Purchase of the new vehicle means the organization can retire a 2003 model while still having five buses in its fleet.
According to a press release, purchase of the new bus was a team effort. Their service is dependent upon passenger fares as well as support from the City of North Battleford and the Town of Battleford.
The purchase was also facilitated by support through the Municipal Government Capital Grant - Transit Assistance for People with Disabilities of $55,000. A donation of close to $10,000 from the Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation rounded out the service's fundraising goal.
Last year the handi-bus logged close to 90,000 kilometres and provided more than 22,700 rides. Fares represented 32 per cent of actual costs of running the buses. The balance is supported by City of North Battleford (32 per cent), Town of Battleford (14 per cent), Municipal Disabilities Grant (18 per cent) and Prairie North Health Region (four per cent). More than $44,000 was spent on fuel alone.
Handi-bus is a shared ride service providing people who, because of a physical or cognitive disability, permanent or temporary, are unable to use the regular transit system with safety and dignity.
"Without these grants these individuals would not be able to get to their many appointments and outings," says manager Al Love.
