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Easyride service hesbreakown to transportation
physical or cognitive limitations, require
specialized transit such as wheelchair -
accessible transport, and who do not have
family and friends who are able to help out.
Costs may vary slightly between agencies
but Orchard said the program developers
have tried to keep the costs reasonable. In -
town trips are based on flat rates while out of
town trips are priced by the kilometre.
Community support services manager
for Town and Country Support Services
Shelley McPhee-Haist said she hopes the
combining of the programs will help enable
seniors to continue living in their home
communities even when getting around
becomes a challenge. "Transportation is key
for independence," she said.
Orchard echoed this sentiment. "We
should, as a caring community want to help
them continue to live in the community," she
said. "Sometimes these services which seem
like little things can make all the difference."
To register with your local agency or to
book a door-to-door trip with Easyride call
toll-free 1-877-500-9875 between 9 a.m.
and 4 p.m. Monday to Friday. Trips should
be booked at least one day ahead, although
same-day bookings may be accommodated
when possible.
Sarah MODonald
sun media
Community support agencies across Huron
and Perth counties have joined forces to make
access to transportation more convenient for
local seniors and people who face mobility
challenges.
The Easyride door-to-door program, which
was unveiled at the Betty Cardno centre
in Clinton December 9, is a collaboration
among eight agencies, including Midwestern
Adult Day Services and Town and Country
Support Services of Huron County that offers
door-to-door transportation services. Agency
clients typically use the service to get to and
from everything from medical appointments
and errands to social occasions.
Stratford Meals on Wheels executive
director Wendy Orchard was on hand to
provide an outline of the program. Orchard
said that while many agencies had listed
transportation as an area they would like to
improve upon, it wasn't until funding from the
Ministry of Health and the South West Local
Health Integration Network became available
that they were able to put a three-year strategy
in motion. "It's been a very long time coming.
Out of 35 proposals, transportation was at the
top. Everyone recognizes transportation as an
Photo by Sarah McDonald
The Easyride door-to-door program, which was unveiled at the Betty Cardno centre in
Clinton Dec. 9, is a collaboration among eight agencies, including Midwestern Adult
Day Services and Town and Country Support Services of Huron County that offers door
to door transportation services.
issue especially in these areas where there is "There may be a situation where someone is
no municipal transit system," she said. travelling for dialysis three times a week and
The hope is that by working together and if a vehicle is going, maybe there are two or
operating through acentral office, the agencies three in a similar area and that vehicle could
will be able to cover any gaps in service and be used to pick them up as well."
work more efficiently to get clients where Easyride is available for registered
they need to go, explained Orchard. "We're clients who are seniors and for clients who
trying to break down barriers," she said. are without access to transportation, have
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AlliTh
an Year''s k place on a
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Is this a familiar sight? As Christmas comes and goes, the
amount of wrapping paper left for disposal is extremely
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inconvenience this holiday season. If you
have any questions or concerns please call
1.800.265.9799 ext 228, or visit our website
at www.bra.org. Happy Holidays!
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