Executive Council
Children, Seniors and Social Development
July 24, 2017
Provincial Government Announces Age-Friendly Transportation Grants
The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh, Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development, today announced funding for six organizations totalling $300,000 through the Age-Friendly Grants Program. The funding will help create more inclusive, accessible communities.
Premier Ball and Minister Gambin-Walsh made the announcement in Corner Brook where they profiled how one of the recipients – Ride for Ages – is supporting older adults and residents in the Bay St. George Area. The program, which is operated by the Bay St. George South Area Development Association, provides transportation for individuals to attend medical and social appointments and has seen much success.
Other organizations that are receiving $50,000 each are:
- Canadian Red Cross Society
- St. John's Transportation Commission (Metrobus)
- Town of Clarenville
- Town of Springdale
- Town of Twillingate – New World Island
The Age-Friendly Transportation Project assists incorporated non-governmental organizations, municipal governments, Inuit community governments and/or reserves to explore options for age-friendly transportation models. It supports community-based transportation projects that demonstrate clear evidence of volunteer involvement and collaboration.
Quotes
“Healthy aging is so important and something that our government promotes and supports. As our population continues to age, we want to ensure that the proper resources are in place for our older adults and seniors. In order for this to happen, we must stay aware of the needs of seniors, as well as people of all ages and their families.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“It is important for all of us to ensure we are preparing for future needs of the aging population. This includes promoting healthy aging. The Age-Friendly Transportation Program will assist seniors to remain active participants and contributing members of their communities.”
Honourable Sherry Gambin-Walsh
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
“Our Ride for Ages program provides safe, friendly, affordable and accessible transportation services. We are very proud of the program, and the grants we have received from the Provincial Government have helped us continue to provide independent living to seniors and community members of all ages.”
Monica McGrath
Board Member, Bay St. George Development Association
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Learn More
Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Transportation Project - www.cssd.gov.nl.ca/grants/age_friendly_transport.html
Provincial Government Preparing for Changing Demographics - www.gov.nl.ca/releases/2017/cssd/0623n12.aspx
Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL
and @CSSD_GovNL
Media contacts
Michelle Cannizzaro
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
michellecannizzaro@gov.nl.ca
Krista Dalton
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 685-6492
kristadalton@gov.nl.ca
Travis Hulan
Ride for Ages
709-645-2883
rideforages@yahoo.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Age-Friendly Newfoundland and Labrador Program Grant Recipients
Canadian Red Cross Society
Community Transportation Service (St. John's)
This service provides transportation to older adults and persons with disabilities who are unable to use public transportation or do not have access to private transportation. The service has focused primarily on medical transportation, for example Eastern Regional Health Authority patients who access dialysis services and sometimes provides transportation social gatherings, shopping or other appointments. Service is offered with a combination of cars and mid-sized vans, as well as accessible vehicles and a seven-passenger van.
St. John's Transportation Commission (Metrobus)
Community Bus Service
In June 2014 Metrobus began operating a fixed route, Community Bus Service aimed primarily at seniors. The purpose of the Community Bus Service is to provide transportation that is convenient, easy to use and helps people 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 27-foot, fully-accessible bus that was purchased with a portion of the funding received from the province.
Town of Clarenville
Clarenville Region Extended Seniors’ Transportation (CREST) Bus Service
The CREST service began in July 2014. A 16-passenger accessible van was purchased and provides transportation for people 60 years and older and those persons with disabilities age 25 and older. The service operates on a scheduled route five days per week. Riders are charged $2 each way. The service operates fixed routes and responds to requests for one-off and special event transportation.
Town of Springdale
Care2Ride Program
Care2Ride is a multi-community, volunteer-based service that provides transportation for seniors and persons with disabilities. The service began operating in July 2014. Rides are offered using a 15-passenger, wheelchair accessible vehicle operated by volunteer drivers, sometimes using their personal vehicles.
Town of Twillingate - New World Island
Community Wheels Project
In partnership with the local Lions Club and the Central Regional Health Authority a bus is provided to respond to the needs of individual seniors and other individuals in the community to attend medical and social appointments.
Bay St. George South Area Development Association
Ride for Ages
The Bay St. George South Development Association has operated the Ride for Ages program since April 2014. A 26-passenger bus was purchased and provides transportation for individuals to attend medical and social appointments. Nine communities are currently served including Bay St. George, Heatherton, Highlands, Stephenville, Corner Brook, McKay’s, Port aux Basques, Jeffrey’s and Robinsons.
2017 07 24 9:30 a.m.