Manager of Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit (SMART) Roger Cook was at council on June 8 making the pitch for Minto to come aboard.
Cook was asked to council as it deliberated about participating in the transportation service.
Mayor George Bridge said, “I know the council has been eager to hear some of your findings.”
Cook said, “We are a local specialized public transit service currently operating in five municipalities in Grey and Bruce counties. We provide mobility services for the physically and mentally challenged.”
Four of those five municipalities also offer those services to seniors. “Kincardine doesn’t at this time,” Cook said.
The service was founded in 1977 as Bruce, Grey and Huron Disability Transportation Corporation. In 2009, restructuring resulted in a new name to emphasize mobility rather than disability.
Cook said SMART is an independent, non-profit incorporated entity and governed and operated by an agreement between the municipal partners.
“It is a highly utilized service in the communities in which it operates.”
The service is mainly for people who, because of physical or mental challenges, cannot use regular transit or taxi services. It also provides group and charter services for area nursing homes and seniors’ residences.
In 2010 SMART provided 21,373 rides – “outings that would have been difficult or impossible if this service were not in place,” Cook said.
He added many residents using it do not have nearby family members to assist with their mobility needs. And for those with family nearby, Cook said they may be unable to provide help because of employment or the lack of an appropriate vehicle.
“The rides provided by SMART are, therefore, a vital lifeline for these community members to keep medical appointments, attend to employment obligations, enjoy social outings and generally maintain a sense of independence.”
Cook agrees specialized transit services for the physically and mentally challenged are expensive.
“Many, if not most, people needing mobility assistance are already in difficult financial circumstances. This further complicates their ability to get out and about in their communities.”
SMART has a modern fleet of 15 vehicles, including a large adapted bus for group outings, two mid-size adapted buses, two slightly smaller adapted buses, a full-sized adapted van, eight adapted minivans and a conventional minivan.
Each municipality that is part of the SMART agreement is entitled to a board member. Currently all five mayors of the participating municipalities serve as directors.
For 2011, SMART’s revenue was budgeted at $456,000 – of which $315,000 is covered by and split among the five existing partners. Municipal contributions are based on weighted percentages for population and actual ridership.
About $135,500 comes through user fees and another $5,000 through donations.
Cook said the gas tax fund from the Ministry of Transportation “provides really generous funding, but it’s not a bottomless pit of money.”
For residents hoping for a free ride – this isn’t it. SMART operates with a number of user fees. Cook said clients are charged a base rate of $2 plus 80 cents per kilometre (six kilometre minimum).
Therefore the cost for a trip up to 6km would be $6.80 one way, and the same amount coming back.
“Each one way trip is a ride, and a round trip is two rides, that’s the way MTO counts it,” Cook said.
A client may have one attendant ride free.
There are varied rates for group bus use as well. However, if drivers need to wait for a client, there is a wait time fee of $17 per hour.
Cook said in looking forward, “the population of Canada, especially in rural areas, is aging. There will only be increasing demand for services such as this over the next two decades. I think we have an affordable way for municipalities like Minto.”
He estimated for Minto, the first year would be an estimate based solely on population. “It makes it affordable.”
Cook said that rather than starting at $45,000, it would give municipalities to join at possibly $15,000. Once ridership is established, then the contribution would build up, he added. Based on the town’s current population, he could see a year-one contribution of just over $13,500.
Councillor Ronald Faulkner wanted to be clear that while there is a cost to the municipality, there is a cost to the client, over and above that.
Cook agreed.
Faulkner asked, “Who invoices the client.”
Cook said SMART looks after billing, but currently the system runs on credit and each client must fill a registration form and where to send a bill.
While many services deal with cash or tickets, Cook said his drivers are not keen on handling box fulls of toonies and loonies.
Councillor Mary Lou Colwell asked if Cook could offer an estimate of what it might cost once ridership is established.
He said the main factor that could shift costs is the degree of ridership.
“At the same time, you don’t want to pay for a service that isn’t being used.”
One thing that is not clear relates to how the provincial gas tax could be applied to the project locally.
Deputy-mayor Terry Fisk asked that once small municipalities become eligible for the gas tax rebate, will the local amount be included. He said after the election, Minto was hoping to be able to claim some of that gas tax. Currently, the tax rebate goes only to municipalities that have a public transit system, said Cook.
Under the SMART proposal, Hanover is considered the host municipality, with places such as Minto supporting it through municipal funding.
“The MTO technically calls this service – Hanover – regardless of how many other municipalities are involved.”
He said the only way a municipality qualifies for the funds at this time is if it operates a public transit service.
Councillor Ron Elliott asked what would happen if Minto signs on, then later decides to pull out.
Cook said while there is no cost to leave, municipalities must give a minimum of 12 months notice [as part of the membership agreement].
Elliott asked for a ballpark figure for what the town should budget once the system is in place.
Cook’s estimate was about around $35,000 a year.
Councillor David Turton asked if the units were all based in Hanover or spread throughout the coverage area.
Cook said the drivers take the vehicles home all over the countryside.
“My intention would be to have drivers in the area who would be close by. If you have inclement weather, it’s nice to have someone close by.”
He added the service generally follows a school bus routine. “If school buses are not running, it’s generally not safe to send clients out. The last thing we want is a van stuck in a snowdrift somewhere with someone in a wheelchair in that van.”
Bridge asked if there is a synergy to work in conjunction with Wellington North Township, which has also expressed interest in the service. Cook said there is currently enough vehicle capacity to accommodate both municipalities.
Bridge said unless one is in the program, the seniors’ homes cannot access the buses for their programs.
Cook said that he had inherited Caressant Care in Harriston and the Royal Terrace, so those two facilities do use the group service – but not the individual service.
“I inherited five out-of-area nursing homes, and they were two of them.”
Colwell asked if it was the municipalities that determine the ridership – such as cancer patients.
Cook said the primary service is for physically and mentally challenged clients, regardless of age.
As far as additional service, such as healthy seniors and those who could use a regular taxi, “Things like that are entirely up to council.”
He said Kincardine chose not to offer the service for seniors because that council did not feel it appropriate to have a municipally-funded service that might compete with local businesses.
Fisk asked what happens to those with the inability to pay the user fee.
Cook said that is a difficult question. While there is no formal policy, he suggested contacting a community group to assist those in need.
Fisk believes that could be an issue for some residents, especially those needing to travel long distances. Cook agreed a trip to London from the Walkerton area could easily add up to $300.
“Generally speaking, people look to family members to help pay that bill.”
He added that transportation for the financially challenge is a huge issue.
“But it boils down to who is going to pay for it.”
