(File Photo/northeastNOW staff)

By Ben Tompkins

Safe and Accessible Trasnportation

New special service bus up and running in Melfort

Mar 21, 2023 | 5:00 PM

The City of Melfort has acquired a new special service bus.

This will provide accessible and safe transportation for residents with disabilities to help them get to work, school, medical appointments, and a wide range of other daily activities.

Lydia Steffen, Melfort’s director of public works, told northeastNOW this was something the city felt was an important and timely purchase.

“The city accommodates the transportation needs of people with disabilities while enhancing their opportunities to actively participate in their communities,” she said. “Unfortunately, assets age, so replacing vehicles and equipment at the optimum time helps support overall productivity and efficiency.”

The city previously received a capital grant of $55,000 from the provincial government, through the Transit Assistance for People with Disabilities Funding Program (TAPD), to help with the purchase.

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The tender for the vehicle was granted last September and it has already been in use for a couple of weeks. The city noted it’s already made over 200 trips in that time.

The bus also includes new technology to help make trips much easier for its passengers. This includes easy access to curbs and drop-off areas through dual electric side-opening doors and a powered ramp as well as an automatic winch system that makes boarding easier.

“Overall, the feedback we have received from users has been positive, especially from our wheelchair passengers,” said Steffen. “We have had some concerns raised about the seating from some of our passengers with mobility problems, so we are looking into options to address their concerns.”

Meanwhile, their oldest transit van has also been now decommissioned and the city is now in the process of deciding what to do with that asset.

“We often choose to replace an asset when the repair and maintenance costs increase beyond an acceptable level over some time and want to avoid a disruption in the services we provide city residents,” added Steffen.

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Ben.Tompkins@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter @BenTompkins_8