Whether a regional handibus service could work in the Grande Prairie area is now being looked at. The Town of Wembley is using a $67,500 provincial grant to hire a consultant to do the study, in partnership with the City and County of Grande Prairie, the towns of Beaverlodge and Sexsmith, and the Village of Hythe.
Consultants will be in the region next week to visit the communities, look at what services are already in place, and talk to people who’d be affected. Their findings will eventually be released to the public, who will then have a chance to give their thoughts.
In a joint media release, the six municipalities say the end goal is to improve ways for seniors and people with disabilities to get to medical and dental appointments, shopping, and other social activities.
“For a significant number of seniors, disabled residents, and others with less travel options, safe and reliable transportation is limited or not available in smaller rural communities.”
A final decision on whether to add the regional handibus will come down to the municipalities’ respective councils. The Disabled Transportation Society currently runs a wheelchair accessible bus for people in Grande Prairie and Clairmont.