For people living in rural areas, volunteer drivers make a world of difference.
Ron MacKinnon, executive director Community Resource Centre of North and Centre Wellington, said Wellington Transportation Services is one of the programs housed at the centre.
He explained the program is funded by Wellington County, which covers the cost of staffing and the reimbursement of mileage for the volunteer drivers.
“The idea was that it would be a network of community service providers.”
MacKinnon stated there are other groups which provide transportation.
“We work very closely with Fergus-Elora Seniors Trans, Family and Children’s Services, Victoria Order of Nurses and East Wellington Community Services.”
While all the groups provide transportation to those within the community, MacKinnon said “if someone doesn’t know who to reach out to – then they can call Wellington Transportation Services.”
He clarified that if someone is looking for a ride to pick up a vehicle being serviced “… that is not the kind of ride we provide.
“We do the rides for people and families who have no where else to turn.”
These are the individuals who cannot provide the ride themselves … and have exhausted family members and neighbours for assistance.
Types of transportation have included rides to:
– the local foodbank;
– medical appointments;
– social services appointments; and,
– court appointments.
MacKinnon stressed the rides are not limited to those areas and encouraged residents to call “to find out if we can provide the ride.”
He used the example of taking a young mother and son to Sick Children’s Hospital in Toronto … because it was the only way to get the child to the assessment he needed.
“We weigh out the need for the ride as we do it. It’s much better to call and ask rather than assume we would not take the ride.”
MacKinnon said for those under a specified income level, there are no fees. Above that level, users would be charged for the mileage the drivers invoice Wellington Transportation Services at 48 cents per kilometre.
MacKinnon said the program has operated for several years and is volunteer-based as far as the drivers go.
“We are always looking for people who want to be volunteer drivers,” he said.
“Our process includes an interview with the person. We would ask for a police check and permission to obtain a driver’s abstract.”
MacKinnon added “we also go for a ride with the driver to get a feel of how the person drives.” He explained the service is concerned with the safety of both the driver and the client.
“I think it is quite a rewarding experience because the drivers that we do have are not only providing a wonderful service, but really seem to enjoy the work they are doing.”
MacKinnon said Wellington Transportation Services has 600 names (individuals or families) enrolled as clients but not all those people need rides each month.
At present, there are 25 volunteer drivers who provide roughly 20,000km of rides each month.
Volunteer driver Erik Kabbes said, “I found myself suddenly retired and needed something to do to get out of the house once in a while.
“I happened to see an article in the Wellington Advertiser (in 2010) about the resource centre.”
The end of the article included a plea for more drivers, Kabbes said. He told his wife “I’d like to give this a try to see how it goes.”
Six years later, he’s still on the job, averaging one or two drives each week, though there have been times where he has provided six drives in a single day – especially for delivery of Christmas hampers.
Kabbes said “most people are very grateful.”
“There’s been quite a few where they barely sitting down before thanking me for providing the ride. Others may not say much of anything.”
Kabbes added, “I’ve come to realize there are a lot of people in Centre Wellington who don’t have the means to get to their appointments.”
“I enjoy driving so it gives me the opportunity to get out of the house and provide this service for people who are in dire need of transportation.”
One of the stranger things he’d seen was a couple who appeared to be texting each other during the round trip to Guelph.
While he normally listens to the radio while driving, he doesn’t when he’s with clients. “I try to be respectful since they may not like the music or the volume.”
A few times, the client wished to bring along a family member – someone not on the list of passengers.
At that point as a driver, the answer would be to say ‘no’ – or check in with the program co-ordinator to find out if it was alright.
“We don’t mind if other people go with them, they just need arrange that ahead of time,” MacKinnon stated.
That allows time to check in with the driver to determine if it is alright to have additional passengers.
“But to have a ‘surprise person’, that is something we do not allow.”
MacKinnon said “it is very difficult for individuals and families in rural areas like Wellington County – and not have a stable means of transportation.”
While lots of services are offered in Wellington County – many are centred in Guelph, he said.
“In order to maintain a quality of life, Wellington Transportation Services is important to help people get to those appointments – especially medical ones.”
MacKinnon said volunteer drivers may feel like they are simply picking someone up and taking them to an appointment.
“The greater impact for the family could be measured in – what does it mean to the family to get to the appointment?”
For more information about the services offered or to volunteer call 519-843-7003. That number applies for those living in Centre Wellington, Minto, Mapleton and Wellington North.
The service can also be reached at transportation@communityresourcecentre.org.
MacKinnon again offered a plea for volunteer drivers, particularly in Centre Wellington, where there is a great need. He noted volunteer drivers are reimbursed for the trip, starting from their own home, not the client’s pickup point.
“That is so there is no extra expense for the driver.”
Kabbes quipped “… Tim Hortons stops not included.” He added, “if it is only a short detour and on the route back home.
