Parents of disabled children say handi-bus needed | Local News | Okotoks Western Wheel:
Parents of disabled children say handi-bus needed
Feb 01, 2012 06:00 am | By Tanya Kostiw
MD of Foothills resident Cherie Helm, pictured with her daughter Jessica, believes a handi-bus is needed in the community.
view all photos (1) MD of Foothills resident Cherie Helm’s teenage daughter Jessica has been in a wheelchair her entire life. Jessica takes a wheelchair accessible bus to school, which the school division funds, but she also transfers her daughter into her own vehicle when she needs to go somewhere, which can be challenging....
Tuesday, February 07, 2012
Communities split over handi-bus need | Local News | Okotoks Western Wheel
Communities split over handi-bus need | Local News | Okotoks Western Wheel:
Communities split over handi-bus need
Feb 01, 2012 06:00 am | By Tanya Kostiw
Share Most people do not give their transportation needs much thought as it usually as simple as hopping into a car, but there are some whose lives are significantly impacted by their limited mobility.
There is no community handi-bus in the local area and whether there is a need for the service depends on who you ask.
Communities split over handi-bus need
Feb 01, 2012 06:00 am | By Tanya Kostiw
Share Most people do not give their transportation needs much thought as it usually as simple as hopping into a car, but there are some whose lives are significantly impacted by their limited mobility.
There is no community handi-bus in the local area and whether there is a need for the service depends on who you ask.
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Cochrane Eagle Online – Cochrane's Source of News and Opinion » Blog Archive » Council withdraws approval of transit
Cochrane Eagle Online – Cochrane's Source of News and Opinion » Blog Archive » Council withdraws approval of transit:
but not all happy
Issues of transportation seem to be everywhere over the past while.
On Nov. 28, council universally approved the 2012 budget for the town, but not all are happy with how things worked out, particularly the Rocky View Regional Handibus Society (RVRHS).
Requesting $69,000 from the town to help fund a service that transports seniors and the physically impaired, RVRHS saw only $40,000 be approved in the budget by council.
“We need to know if Cochrane wants this,” said RVRHS general manager, Paul Siller. “We want a firm motion from (council) that they are in it for the long haul.”
but not all happy
Issues of transportation seem to be everywhere over the past while.
On Nov. 28, council universally approved the 2012 budget for the town, but not all are happy with how things worked out, particularly the Rocky View Regional Handibus Society (RVRHS).
Requesting $69,000 from the town to help fund a service that transports seniors and the physically impaired, RVRHS saw only $40,000 be approved in the budget by council.
“We need to know if Cochrane wants this,” said RVRHS general manager, Paul Siller. “We want a firm motion from (council) that they are in it for the long haul.”
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Government of Alberta Ministry of Transportation: Recommended Standards for Transit Buses
An incredible find to show the forward thinking nature of Alberta Government transit policies.
Believe it or not, these standards apparently have not changed since 1989. If these standards are still the benchmarch for the Alberta Government, no wonder there is so much trouble with the Bus modernization program.
Government of Alberta Ministry of Transportation: Recommended Standards for Transit Buses: Recommended Standards for Transit Buses
Believe it or not, these standards apparently have not changed since 1989. If these standards are still the benchmarch for the Alberta Government, no wonder there is so much trouble with the Bus modernization program.
Government of Alberta Ministry of Transportation: Recommended Standards for Transit Buses: Recommended Standards for Transit Buses
2011 Resolution:Provincial Scope2 Alberta Seniors Specialized Transporation
A resolution from the fall 2011 AUMA Conventions
(Might be helpful if some one in the Alberta Government actually decides to do spomething to help for a change)
2011 Resolution:Provincial Scope2 Alberta Seniors Specialized Transporation:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association urge the Province of Alberta to provideboth operational & capital financial support to municipalities so that they can continue to provide specialized transportation for the increasing number of seniors who require this service.
(Might be helpful if some one in the Alberta Government actually decides to do spomething to help for a change)
2011 Resolution:Provincial Scope2 Alberta Seniors Specialized Transporation:
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association urge the Province of Alberta to provideboth operational & capital financial support to municipalities so that they can continue to provide specialized transportation for the increasing number of seniors who require this service.
Improving Travel Options in Small and Rural Communities - Transport Canada
(why didn't we hear about this before?)
Improving Travel Options in Small and Rural Communities - Transport Canada:
Improving Travel Options in Small and Rural Communities
This document is available for downloading or viewing:
HTML version
PDF Version (2.66 MB)
Improving Travel Options in Small and Rural Communities - Transport Canada:
Improving Travel Options in Small and Rural Communities
This document is available for downloading or viewing:
HTML version
PDF Version (2.66 MB)
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Transit issue goes round and round - Wetaskiwin Times Advertiser - Alberta, CA
Transit issue goes round and round - Wetaskiwin Times Advertiser - Alberta, CA:
(from the end of her letter)
(from the end of her letter)
... Mr. King also states: "Having a viable, sustainable transportation service for seniors and special needs individuals is currently a privilege."
I think it is a basic right.
Once again we will have to agree to disagree.
Mrs. Faith Sanderson
Wetaskiwin
Thursday, September 22, 2011
A common mistake is presented by the folks at Airdrie Transit.
Many people don't feel that a transit service for seniors and disability is a form of transit.
What is called "Handibus" or Handivan" is actually "paratransit." Rocky View Regional Handibus has been operating community transit services since 1981 and is one of the first regional transit service for the Calgary region. We provide service to residents of six municipalities in the Calgary region - three of which are current members of the Calgary Municipal Partnership.
Sadly the Calgary Regional Partnership's Transit plan specifically excludes paratransit planning for residents of the Calgary Region partnership communities.
Unwanted and unloved, we continue although we are not considered to be as useful as our commuter transit counterparts (note: Alberta Greentrip also specifically excludes paratransit).
Note: We are impressed by the success of the Airdrie ICE and wish them continued success... but we still note that we do have a longer history of providing regional transit.
Many people don't feel that a transit service for seniors and disability is a form of transit.
What is called "Handibus" or Handivan" is actually "paratransit." Rocky View Regional Handibus has been operating community transit services since 1981 and is one of the first regional transit service for the Calgary region. We provide service to residents of six municipalities in the Calgary region - three of which are current members of the Calgary Municipal Partnership.
Sadly the Calgary Regional Partnership's Transit plan specifically excludes paratransit planning for residents of the Calgary Region partnership communities.
Unwanted and unloved, we continue although we are not considered to be as useful as our commuter transit counterparts (note: Alberta Greentrip also specifically excludes paratransit).
Inside Airdrie Transit: Back in the News: We're in the Airdrie Echo this week ( http://www.airdrieecho.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3307372 ) for a piece on regional transit. Currently ...
Note: We are impressed by the success of the Airdrie ICE and wish them continued success... but we still note that we do have a longer history of providing regional transit.
Google Alert - number 2
More News Coverage on our politican survey
Handibus wants support
Cochrane Eagle
The executive director of the Rocky View Handibus Society is looking
for the province to step up support for special transportation groups. ...
<http://www.cochraneeagle.com/2011/09/handibus-wants-support/>
Google Alert - Rocky View Handibus
We have an article and an editorial regarding our survey of the politicians.
We still have not heard from any of the other parties.
Rocky View Weekly
Paul Siller, executive director of Rocky View Handi Bus (RVHB), which
provides transportation for seniors, disabled and immobilized people,
sent the six PC ...
We still have not heard from any of the other parties.
Rocky View Weekly
Paul Siller, executive director of Rocky View Handi Bus (RVHB), which
provides transportation for seniors, disabled and immobilized people,
sent the six PC ...
Politicians' apathy pathetic but not surprising
Rocky View Weekly
Paul Siller, general manager of Rocky View Regional Handi Bus Society, ...
Rocky View Handi Bus transports immobile people from nearly all parts
of Rocky ...
Thursday, September 08, 2011
our comments to the only PC leadership submission on Specialized transportation
Date: Thu, 08 Sep 2011 11:24:54 -0600
From: Paul Siller
To: Jeff Henwood
Thank-you for taking to the time to answer our survey. The redford
team is the only campaign group that provided a response.
We waited until our deadline before reviewing the responses.
Unfortunately, I am a little confused by the response. It sounds that
once Alberta seniors get into nursing or seniors homes, then somehow
all medical transportation needs will cease.
Unfortunately this is directly opposed to the situation we encounter.
The residents of seniors lodges and rural nursing home are a very
large source of the demand. For example, we roughly a dozen people in
Cochrane who need transportation to cataract surgery in Calgary. 75%
are in residences or nursing homes. All of them cannot get to there
day surgeries without us ( I am not proud to say that with our limited resources, we are the transportation of last resort)
Seniors housing and seniors care facilities have no resources to
provide such transportation. The facilities call on non-profit groups
such as ourselves or the local municipality ( as happens in Ms.
Redford's home riding) and there is no provincial support to make the
connection happen.
I'm sure this is a new topic on the radar for most candidates but
special needs transportation really is a significant problem in rural
and small town Alberta (the cities struggle with it too). Generally
speaking, we are disappointed that most of the candidates didn't try
to provide an answer (the only other candidate's response is
summarized as "look at our website, we are to busy to answer")
Once again, we are grateful for your team's prompt response amongst a
severe lack of interest regarding this province wide issue. Maybe a
leadership campaign is only about selling memberships and not about
small issues that can affect 100 Alberta communities.
Best of luck in the polls.
Paul
(note: portions of this response may constitute part of our media
coverage)
From: Paul Siller
To: Jeff Henwood
Thank-you for taking to the time to answer our survey. The redford
team is the only campaign group that provided a response.
We waited until our deadline before reviewing the responses.
Unfortunately, I am a little confused by the response. It sounds that
once Alberta seniors get into nursing or seniors homes, then somehow
all medical transportation needs will cease.
Unfortunately this is directly opposed to the situation we encounter.
The residents of seniors lodges and rural nursing home are a very
large source of the demand. For example, we roughly a dozen people in
Cochrane who need transportation to cataract surgery in Calgary. 75%
are in residences or nursing homes. All of them cannot get to there
day surgeries without us ( I am not proud to say that with our limited resources, we are the transportation of last resort)
Seniors housing and seniors care facilities have no resources to
provide such transportation. The facilities call on non-profit groups
such as ourselves or the local municipality ( as happens in Ms.
Redford's home riding) and there is no provincial support to make the
connection happen.
I'm sure this is a new topic on the radar for most candidates but
special needs transportation really is a significant problem in rural
and small town Alberta (the cities struggle with it too). Generally
speaking, we are disappointed that most of the candidates didn't try
to provide an answer (the only other candidate's response is
summarized as "look at our website, we are to busy to answer")
Once again, we are grateful for your team's prompt response amongst a
severe lack of interest regarding this province wide issue. Maybe a
leadership campaign is only about selling memberships and not about
small issues that can affect 100 Alberta communities.
Best of luck in the polls.
Paul
(note: portions of this response may constitute part of our media
coverage)
Response from Team Redford
on Sept 4, we recieved (what turned out to be our only response) from Team Redford:
Hi Paul, Attached is Alison Redford's response to your question regarding aging in place. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Jeff Henwood
Alison Redford Leadership Campaign
1-855-5-ALISON
www.alisonredford.ca
attached text
Hi Paul, Attached is Alison Redford's response to your question regarding aging in place. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Jeff Henwood
Alison Redford Leadership Campaign
1-855-5-ALISON
www.alisonredford.ca
attached text
Rockyview Bus Questionnaire
1) Candidate Name and campaign contact info (phone/email):
A: Alison Redford 403-264-2001 info@alisonredford.ca
2. Care in the community and ageing in place are critical strategies for the Alberta government. What measures or programs do you think will be necessary for "Ageing in Place" to be any different from "Stuck at home without options to access local resources?"
A: “Aging in Place” is not about leaving seniors isolated in their own homes. The strategy is meant to allow the seniors to continuously access medical services while their health and care requirements shift as they age. These changes should take place while they continue to live in the facility of their choosing, saving seniors from stressful relocations and unnecessary trips to the hospital.
My health-care policies will make “Aging in Place” a reality. I’m going to ease the regulatory framework so elder care facility operators can expands the number of beds to meet demand, with a quota system to ensure that low and middle-income seniors are able to find affordable places. I will also expand the care Alberta Health Services provides in these facilities so seniors can get the treatment they need in the comfort of familiar surroundings — aging in place.
My strategy will increase seniors’ options. They will be able to choose from a wide variety of living arrangements that match their income, lifestyles, aspirations and family structure, so married couples will no longer be split up. There will be no more long stays in hospitals, waiting for beds in retirement homes to open up. By expanding the availability of routine treatment in facilities, I will also ease the strain on special-needs transportation providers’ budgets. They will no longer have to spend time laboriously shuttling seniors to hospitals or clinics for most non-emergency medical care. Instead, they will be able to devote their time to transporting seniors to recreational activities and keeping them engaged in the community.
Thursday, September 01, 2011
first decline: 2011 Leadership Candiates
We thank you for the prompt response from Horner for Alberta team.
For purposes of openess and transparency, we are cc'ing campaign
correspondence to our blog.
On 01/09/2011 10:09 AM, info@hornerforalberta.ca wrote:
> Paul, we will not be able to respond directly to your survey due to the overwhelming number of questionnaires we have received. Please check Doug's policy page for regular updates. These should answer most of your questions.
> Sent wirelessly from my BlackBerry device on the Bell network.
> Envoyé sans fil par mon terminal mobile BlackBerry sur le réseau de Bell.
>
first response: 2011 Leadership
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: Questions For 2011 Leadership Candiates
Date: Thu, 01 Sep 2011 09:58:58 -0600
From: Paul Siller
To: Kevin Weidlich
We are posting all the answers publicly on our website. If your team
prefers not to take part, then we understand.
On 01/09/2011 9:54 AM, Kevin Weidlich wrote:
> Thanks for your email. javascript:void(0)Doug will gladly respond to your questions
> publically. Please post your questions to Doug's policy section of the
> website. This way we can have an open discussion.
>
> http://hornerforalberta.ca/policy-framework
>
>
> Regards,
> Horner Campaign Team
>
Questions for 2011 Leadership Candidates
From: www.rockyviewbus.ca/leadership
Leadership 2011
It is an exciting time in Alberta. Six people are vying for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta. The Alberta Liberal Party is also going through a leadership campaign.
With all this campaigning, we thought it would be an opportune time to see if candidates have solutions for the groups across Alberta that provide community transportation and transit. We have prepared a backgrounder and four simple questions for candidates to contemplate.
Policy creation is not limited to the leadership candidates. We are also circulating our questions to the New Democratic Party of Alberta, the Wildrose Party of Alberta and the fledgling Alberta party.
Results will be posted at www.rockyviewbus.ca/leadership. We hope that all candidates will be able to give this issue some thought as it affects some 100 communities across Alberta.
To start the project, we will ask for a quick response from the PC party, who vote on a new leader Sept 17, 2011. We hope to have the first round of responses back by Sept 7, 2011.
A simple email response will suffice but we also have the questions in a downloadable and fillable PDF. We also have a one page backgrounder for folks new to these issues.
http://www.rockyviewbus.ca/leadership/documents/2011QuestionsforCandidates_fillable.pdf
http://www.rockyviewbus.ca/leadership/documents/2011pcleadershipbackgroundpaper.pdf
The questions are:
1) Candidate Name and campaign contact info (phone/email):
2) Care in the community and ageing in place are critical strategies for the Alberta government. What measures or programs do you think will be necessary for "Ageing in Place" to be any different from "Stuck at home without options to access local resources?"
3) Who should be responsible for special needs transportation being available to residents of smaller Alberta communities?
4) Do you have any other comments regarding rural and urban special needs transportation?
5) Bonus: How much does the Government of Alberta currently allocate for special needs transportation?
Return responses to: leadership@rockyviewbus.ca
Leadership 2011
It is an exciting time in Alberta. Six people are vying for the leadership of the Progressive Conservative Party of Alberta. The Alberta Liberal Party is also going through a leadership campaign.
With all this campaigning, we thought it would be an opportune time to see if candidates have solutions for the groups across Alberta that provide community transportation and transit. We have prepared a backgrounder and four simple questions for candidates to contemplate.
Policy creation is not limited to the leadership candidates. We are also circulating our questions to the New Democratic Party of Alberta, the Wildrose Party of Alberta and the fledgling Alberta party.
Results will be posted at www.rockyviewbus.ca/leadership. We hope that all candidates will be able to give this issue some thought as it affects some 100 communities across Alberta.
To start the project, we will ask for a quick response from the PC party, who vote on a new leader Sept 17, 2011. We hope to have the first round of responses back by Sept 7, 2011.
A simple email response will suffice but we also have the questions in a downloadable and fillable PDF. We also have a one page backgrounder for folks new to these issues.
http://www.rockyviewbus.ca/leadership/documents/2011QuestionsforCandidates_fillable.pdf
http://www.rockyviewbus.ca/leadership/documents/2011pcleadershipbackgroundpaper.pdf
The questions are:
1) Candidate Name and campaign contact info (phone/email):
2) Care in the community and ageing in place are critical strategies for the Alberta government. What measures or programs do you think will be necessary for "Ageing in Place" to be any different from "Stuck at home without options to access local resources?"
3) Who should be responsible for special needs transportation being available to residents of smaller Alberta communities?
4) Do you have any other comments regarding rural and urban special needs transportation?
5) Bonus: How much does the Government of Alberta currently allocate for special needs transportation?
Return responses to: leadership@rockyviewbus.ca
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