Released on February 27, 2014
Provincial Transit Program for Persons with Disabilities ExpandsTwo new paratransit buses are serving Prince Albert passengers, thanks in part to a provincial grant program that is expanding to help people with disabilities in communities across Saskatchewan.
The Ministry of Government Relations’ $3.5 million Transit Assistance for People with Disabilities (TAPD) program provides provincial financial assistance to eligible municipalities offering specialized paratransit services. This fiscal year the provincial government boosted funding for this program by $325,000.
“This government is working hard on its commitment in the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth to make this province the best place in Canada for persons with disabilities,” Prince Albert Northcote MLA Victoria Jurgens said on behalf of Government Relations Minister Jim Reiter. “By increasing funding for this valuable program, we are working toward achieving that goal.”
The program is providing $51,691 to the City of Prince Albert to help purchase a paratransit bus, along with a $180,794 provincial paratransit operating grant for the 2013-14 fiscal year. The City of Prince Albert also purchased a paratransit bus.
“Special needs transportation is a vital service that has been supported year after year by Prince Albert City Council,” Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne said. “These buses assist people in their daily lives and help those with disabilities get to their jobs, appointments and leisure activities. This provincial paratransit funding is a welcomed contribution from the Government of Saskatchewan.”
"Prince Albert's two new replacement paratransit buses began serving passengers in December of 2013,” Prince Albert and District Community Service Centre Executive Director Merv Bender said. "New buses are crucial to the special needs transportation service, as they connect our riders to vital services they need in the community.”
The centre operates the city’s specialized transit service.
Other communities to receive a provincial capital grant toward the purchase of new paratransit buses in 2013-14 are: Humboldt, Moosomin, North Battleford, Preeceville, Redvers, Regina, Saskatoon, Shellbrook and Yorkton. Each community is eligible for a grant of 75 per cent of the eligible costs to a maximum of $55,000.
Bender is also a member of the Citizen Consultation Team (CCT) that will play a key role in the development of a province-wide disability strategy.
The province’s Disability Strategy will focus on the priority areas outlined in the Saskatchewan Plan for Growth: accessibility, affordability and availability of housing; transportation, employment, education, community inclusion and support for caregivers.
The development of the disability strategy is led by the Ministry of Social Services. Other ministries participating in the process are health, education, advanced education, government relations, economy and justice.
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For more information, contact:
Dan Palmer
Government Relations
Phone: 306-787-2155
Email: dan.palmer@gov.sk.ca
The development of the disability strategy is led by the Ministry of Social Services. Other ministries participating in the process are health, education, advanced education, government relations, economy and justice.
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For more information, contact:
Dan Palmer
Government Relations
Phone: 306-787-2155
Email: dan.palmer@gov.sk.ca
Kiley Bear
City of Prince Albert
Phone: 306-953-4367
Email: kbear@citypa.com