Going to the grocery store, getting to the doctor, heading off to work – for many people those are everyday tasks done without a thought to getting there and back.
But for many, specifically low income people, seniors, or those with disabilities, transportation can be a daily challenge. For them, it can take days to arrange the “to” and “from” for the most routine tasks.
Those days, though, might soon be ending in rural Wellington County.
Creating a solution that will meet those needs and provide transportation for those in the health and social services sector has been a long-term goal for many in the county.
Service providers from across rural Wellington are now working collaboratively under the name Wellington Transportation Services, offering transportation support to people without adequate access to other transportation. That includes families and individuals with incomes below $38,000 for a family of four, seniors, or adults with disabilities.
Jennifer Hammond is the coordinator of the program that could see free transportation for many people at no cost. She said the service could be used for medical appointments, shopping, visiting a bank, or even visiting friends.
Member organizations of Wellington Transportation Services include The Community Resource Centre of North and Centre Wellington, VON Community Support Services, EWAG, Fergus-Elora Senior Trans, North Wellington Seniors Council, CReATE Arthur, Palmerston, and Harriston.
Hammond said the central registry telephone service is now running, and people who need the service can simply call and become registered.
For information on eligibility to receive service, call the central access referral and information line toll free at 1-866-694-9562. Staff there will ask a few questions before referring callers to a service provider best suited to meet their needs.
Hammond said in many communities, there are small groups that provide some transportation services, but many of them are overwhelmed by the demand for the service.
She said the new group can make referrals, but the central registry can also fill “the gap” in services if smaller groups are unable to help because they are already too busy.
Member organizations of the Rural Wellington Transportation Group include: The County of Wellington Social Services Department, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, VON Community Support Services, and The Community Resource Centre of North and Centre Wellington.
The phone line is also for service providers seeking support for clients or patients. Information regarding transportation services from across rural Wellington is managed through that central access point.
The registry has all come from the work that reopened the transportation dialogue three years ago through the Rural Wellington Transportation Group. Since that time many organizations have been brainstorming countless ideas and working to build on the strengths of previous models.
The Rural Wellington Transportation Group obtained funding from the Ontario Trillium Foundation to undertake an 18-month program development project.
The Community Resource Centre of North and Centre Wellington, acting as the lead agency for the project, has been working since June on the development of a sustainable, volunteer-based transportation program.
The program is designed to build on the current volunteer based transportation system, utilizing the expertise of existing transportation providers while making transportation services easier to access for those who need them.
As well, expanding the system capacity to better manage increased demand for service is a critical element.
Hammond said the central registry also allows the group to do volunteer training in larger groups. She said some organizations need only a few volunteers a year, and training is often lacking.
With the central registry, the network can train a larger number of people for various organizations.
Hammond also noted that while volunteers provide their time to give transportation, they do get paid a fee for their mileage.
She said Wellington County has provided long term funding for the toll free phone number, and there will be other fundraising efforts to keep the entire system operational after the Trillium funds run out.
