A $9,200 donation just brought the Battlefords Handi-bus a step closer to a new wheelchair lift-equipped bus.
Al Love, transit manager for Battlefords Handi-bus, thanked the Kinsmen Telemiracle Foundation for approving the grant request, as well as Heath Gabruch, Battlefords Kinsmen member, for his assistance.
"The Kinsmen have supported us since about 1981," said Love.
Currently, the Battlefords Handi-bus has four wheelchair lift-equipped buses, but the buses are older and one needs to be replaced.
The new bus is expected to cost $80,000.
Love said the grant, which represents about 12 per cent of the cost for a new bus, is appreciated.
"It's big part of it, but we've got a long way to go yet," he said.
Last year, Battlefords Handi-bus provided over 20,000 rides to people with mobility barriers in the Battlefords and area.
"It's very valuable," said Love, explaining, "Anybody in a wheelchair or with a walker or even a powered scooter wouldn't have the ability to easily get on a bus or call a taxi or even rely on their friends to take them grocery shopping or for medical appointments."
The Battlefords Handi-bus is funded by the City of North Battleford, the Town of Battleford, Prairie North Health Region and by government grants, which enables them to provide rides for a $4 fare.
