Transport society founder and president Claredon Robicheau says being able to transport a senior home for the Christmas holidays to have dinner with a house full of grandchildren was “priceless”.
“The expansion into the Weymouth area was researched as being needed and—with the right community buy-in—feasible,” Robicheau said. “I predict that 10 years from now we’re going to touch the lives of so many in Weymouth it will be standing room only when we’re cutting our cake for our anniversary.”
Research was done to determine whether the expansion into Weymouth was needed. The Nova Scotia strategy for positive aging states each month 700 Nova Scotians turn 65. By 2026, it is expected the number of seniors will double.
Right now 23 per cent of Clare’s population is over 65 years of age and Weymouth’s percentage is higher, said Robicheau.
Transport de Clare received $30,000 in capital funding from the provincial government to help purchase a nine-passenger wheelchair-accessible van costing $60,000.
The society also received financial support from Weymouth area service clubs and the Municipality of Digby, but is still $3,000 short of reaching the operating budget for the Weymouth expansion.
“I estimate taking $1 from the Municipality of Digby and turning into $5 while not counting the number of volunteer hours,” said Robicheau.
The transportation service is licensed under the Nova Scotia Utility Review Board, which requires the vehicles to be inspected every six months. The set rate is $20 return trip and is 0.75 cents for every kilometer outside of Weymouth.
People using the transportation service need to book at least 24 hours in advance and those making medical trips are advised to book a few weeks ahead of time.
