Six months after launching the South Delta Seniors Bus, ridership continues to rise and officials with the Corporation of Delta couldn't be more pleased.
According to Mayor Lois Jackson, 270 registered riders have taken a little over 800 trips on the bus scheduled out of the McKee Seniors Recreation Centre.
The service provides seniors with transportation to medical appointments, shopping and social engagements. The bus operates Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. It has 18 seats and there is space for walkers and wheelchairs.
"We've had so many complimentary notes and letters from people saying how much of a difference the service has made," said Jackson. "It has really taken people, in many cases being a shut-in, an ability to go down to the recreation centres for lunch or take in arts and crafts or an evening and, of course, the medical transportation is very important as well.
"It is really difficult for people who have no other transportation options. HandyDart is a great idea, but not as reliable as you would like, so our bus really helps our seniors here in Delta."
The bus was modeled after the North Delta Seniors Bus that started in 2013. To date, the North Delta bus has 400 registered riders who have taken just over 2,500 trips.
"We just didn't know how the service would be received when we first started in North Delta, but we were just thrilled with the response," said Jackson. "Council then decided that we needed to get the service started in South Delta and made it a priority item in the budget. It is such a small thing to do to assist our seniors. To enable people to get out to our centres and out into our communities is just a liberating thing for so many people. It's a good program."
For regular user Charlotte England of Ladner, the bus has reinvigorated her life. She was a regular at the Ladner Leisure Centre where she went swimming, but that all stopped when she could no longer drive.
Now she is swimming again, goes to her medical appointments and joins friends for bridge, cribbage and lunch at the seniors centre.
"It's marvelous - absolutely the best service for my tax dollars," said England. "To me it is an absolute Godsend. Leo [Gougeon] is so polite and is such a nice driver. He is always so helpful. I love this service."
At the recent seniors town hall meeting in Ladner, a question was asked why the bus doesn't go to Tsawwassen Mills, the new mall at the Tsawwassen First Nation. Jackson said it's all about keeping the service local.
"We have two business communities - one in Ladner and one in Tsawwassen - that we are trying desperately to keep people drawn to those businesses, so for the Corporation (of Delta) to say we are taking people out of Ladner, out of Tsawwassen to go and shop at the new mall, I don't think is a fair thing for those folks to expect.
"I hope people can understand that. I like shopping local first. Those are people who live in our community and go to school and church, so I want to support those people first."
To book a ride or to find out more about the South Delta Seniors Bus, call 604-358-8765.
