Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
June 2, 2015
Supporting Inclusive, Age-Friendly Communities
Age-Friendly Transportation Pilot Enters Third Year
The innovative Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Transportation Pilot Project is entering its third year of implementation, with a Budget 2015 investment of $400,000.
�Throughout the province, seniors and persons with disabilities have identified transportation issues as one of the main barriers to social participation and engagement. Given that June is Seniors Month, it is a great time to note that, through this pilot project, seniors and others who may have mobility disabilities, are being provided with affordable, reliable transportation for medical and banking appointments, grocery shopping, social activities and more.�
- The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development
Since 2013, a total of $1.3 million has been invested in the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Transportation Pilot Project. Each of the five project models is different, and this year�s investment includes provision for an evaluation of the projects, and identification of best practices for a sustainable model for the future. Further details are outlined in the attached backgrounder.
One of the pilot projects is operating in Clarenville, and the response from the community has been very positive.
�Our riders have indicated they are better able to visit friends, make their medical appointments, participate in social events and attend community functions since the transportation service began. The service is managed by an operating board and a team of about 100 volunteers who donate their time to drive the bus, take reservations, and assist on the bus on a daily basis to make the lives of the seniors and persons with mobility challenges in the region more fulfilling and rewarding.�
- Larry Reid, Chair, Random Age-Friendly Communities
The need to develop more transportation options for seniors, within the context of age-friendly communities, was identified in consultations leading up to the release of the Provincial Government�s Provincial Healthy Aging Policy Framework, which can be viewed at: www.swsd.gov.nl.ca/publications/pdf/seniors/ha_policy_framework.pdf 
.
QUICK FACTS
- The Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Transportation Pilot Project is entering its third year of implementation, with a Budget 2015 investment of $400,000.
- Through this pilot project, seniors and others who may have mobility disabilities, are being provided with affordable, reliable transportation for medical and banking appointments, grocery shopping, social activities and more.
- The overarching pilot includes five separate pilot projects, operating in various locations within the province.
- Each of the five project models is different, and this year�s investment includes provision for an evaluation of the projects, and identification of best practices for a sustainable model for the future.
- Since 2013, a total of $1.3 million has been invested in the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Transportation Pilot Project.
- 30 -
Media contacts:
|
Heather May Director of Communications Department of Seniors, Wellness and Social Development 709-729-0928, 697-5061 heathermay@gov.nl.ca |
Larry Reid Chair Random Age-Friendly Communities Larry.reid@stonewaterson.com 709-466-2870 |
Backgrounder
Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Transportation Project
In 2013, Government introduced the Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Transportation Project. Older adults, as well as people with mobility challenges, are benefiting from this program with an investment of almost $1.3 over the past three years. Five pilot projects are ongoing in different parts of the province:
Canadian Red Cross Society
Red Cross Community Transportation Project: Adding Life to Years
Since taking part in the province�s Age-Friendly Transportation Project, the Canadian Red Cross Society has created a community transportation program that provides rides for clients facing barriers to affordable transportation in the Northeast Avalon area. Volunteer drivers accompany clients to and from medical appointments and other essential errands such as banking and grocery shopping. With the pilot phase of this new service well underway, the Red Cross plans to conduct an assessment in the final project year to determine how this service can be expanded.
St. John�s Transportation Commission (Metrobus)
Seniors Community Bus Service
The Metrobus Seniors Community Bus Service provides transportation to seniors that is convenient and allows them to get to their destinations and remain active in the community. Unlike other Metrobus routes, the Community Bus provides door-to-door pick up and drop off service at a number of apartment complexes and residences to major destinations � including shopping malls and recreation facilities. Service is provided by a fully-accessible bus that was purchased with a portion of the funding received from the Provincial Government. Ridership on the Community Bus has grown steadily since service began and feedback from customers has been overwhelmingly positive.
Town of Clarenville
Clarenville and Area Age-Friendly Transportation System
The Town of Clarenville purchased a 16-passenger or eight-wheelchair position bus to offer transportation services to residents over the age of 60 and individuals living with mobility challenges. It has close to 600 riders to date, and the response has been very positive. Over the next several months, the team will be conducting planning sessions with various stakeholders, including retirement centres, riders, volunteers, partners, and the public to determine how the service can be improved to increase the ridership and better serve the needs of the seniors in the region.
Town of Springdale
Care 2 Ride: Green Bay North Transportation Solutions Model
The Town of Springdale's multi-community transportation model is evolving in response to the specific needs of stakeholders in Green Bay North. Transportation surveys have been completed in four communities to date, inviting seniors, persons with mobility issues and community leaders to identify transportation and other concerns that impact on their quality of life. The model is operating in Springdale with the help of community partners, volunteer drivers (in their own vehicles) and the use of a wheelchair-accessible bus, operated in partnership with Central Health.
Bay St. George Area Development Association
Ride for Ages: Bay St. George South Senior Transportation Service
The Bay St. George South Area Development Association has purchased a 24-passenger, wheel-chair accessible bus and has been providing transportation service to local seniors, and individuals with mobility challenges, to and from doctor�s appointments, hospital trips, shopping outings, scenic tours and social events. The association has provided rental service to seniors groups as far out as the Port au Port Peninsula, and will continue to promote the rental aspect of the project.
2015 06 02 10:05 a.m.