Calling all drivers!

BY NADINE ARMSTRONG

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com

Too many drives and not enough wheels has created a challenge for one Hants County non-profit service.

As in many rural communities, those that don't have access to transport are left behind, unable to make it to medical appointments, job interviews, school and even work. That was the case until Dial-a- Ride came to town six years ago.

When the service was first established as part of Hants County Community Access Network (CAN), there were a dozen eager volunteers to divvy-up scheduled drives. Since then the number of volunteers has dropped by half and the need for drives has increased steadily.

Dial-a-Ride services primarily seniors, persons with disabilities, youth and those on a fixed income. Anyone needing a drive calls Dial-a-Ride to book transit. A volunteer driver is then scheduled to pick them up and transport them to and from their destination. The rider pays a flat rate per drive and the driver is reimbursed .36 cents per kilometre.

Sounds like a win-win situation, but with an average of 300 drives booked each month, a half-dozen drivers is not nearly enough to fill the need. Last year alone Dial-a-Ride provided over 3,000 drives with total of 97,000 km covered.

Crucial service

“The need for drives is going way up and the number of volunteers way down,” says Hants County CAN director Mike Little.

“Many of our volunteers are retired persons or seniors,” Little said. Their most recent volunteer to step down was 74 years old. “They give so much, but driving that many kilometres can wear them down,” he said.

That particular driver committed to driving 2,000 km last month, which Little said is too much for anyone. He hopes that an increase in volunteer resources will help even things out and make it easier to keep volunteers on board.

Little insists Dial-a-Ride provides a crucial service to Hants County residents. “In a rural sector, it's difficult for some even to get to work early in the morning if they don't have their own vehicle.”

Program co-coordinator Janice Caldwell has seen first-hand the difficulty users have faced. “There are people who can't even get to important medical appointments,” and for some, Dial-a-Ride is the only option.

“People don't realize there are some out there that don't have family close by to give them drives. Many of our residents have no support, no vehicle and no way to get where they need to be.”

Even with a new transit service coming to the area this fall, Little says the need for drives will still be there. “We've really supported the drive for a transit service in this community, but there’s still a need for a specialized service.”

He said to travel by bus can be tiresome and difficult for some residents, especially if they’re traveling back and forth from medical procedures.

“Some of our users just aren't well enough to travel by bus,” Little said.

Worth the effort

As well, many of the users of Dial-a-Ride need transportation outside areas covered by public transport and at hours when buses may not run. “Some of our drives are booked for very early morning appointments. We also provide drives to the city in some cases,” Little said. There have been incidents where they have even transported mothers and infants to the IWK in Halifax for treatments.

Gives back to community

Avid volunteer Ralph Lyon has been a driver for Dial-a-Ride since its conception. Last year he traveled a total of 26,000 km while providing much-needed transportation to those in need. He says it’s worth the effort.

“I have arthritis, so I know how hard it can be to get around,” Lyon says. When asked why he commits some much time to the service, he laughed and said, “well, I don't knit, so I spend my time helping others.”

Caldwell says Ralph is an incredible individual. “He needs to know he's giving back to the community in a big way.” She said the same can be said for any Dial-a-Ride volunteer. “The rewards are incredible.”

Volunteer drivers are required to complete a RCMP police check and will need additional insurance covers. However, the organization reimburses those extra costs.

All that’s really required is what most volunteers give best; their time. “We don't put any pressure on our drivers. Volunteers do this as they're available,” Caldwell said.

To find out more about Dial-a-Ride or how you can volunteer, contact 792-1758.