INNISFAIL - Although the town's year-old pilot program to give seniors and the handicapped extended handivan service is being applauded there will be a $32,260 funding shortfall by the end of this month.
As well, the pilot program, which was approved by town council late last year will also need an additional $15,400 to continue until the end of December.
At its Oct. 15 regular meeting council agreed to cover the shortfall and the extra funds to support the service until the end of the year but the pilot project's fate could be decided before then.
Heather Whymark, the town's director of corporate services, said the town's Transportation Committee will meet in early November and review the service's usage.
"Because it is our service we have to determine if we want to keep running the extended hours," said Whymark, who told council that the committee last met in September to discuss a request for additional funds to operate the service until the end of the year. It was also the first meeting with a new representative from the Innisfail Royal Canadian Legion, which manages the service. Whymark said complete usage data for the service was not yet completed.
She said the November meeting will determine whether the town continues, modifies or discontinues the pilot program.
"Depending on what that committee decides then I take a number to go into budget, and then budget will go from there. So if they decide to continue the service then the requisition to the legion to run the handivan will increase, and then council will choose to do that at budget or not."
In a letter from the legion, which manages the handivan service, it was noted the pilot program has had a positive impact for users who otherwise would have not been able to go to desired places without the extended service.
"Just within the last week I was able to help one lady go to a surprise party for her 80-year-old sister. The family is not sure how many more birthdays they will be able to celebrate with their aunt/sister," said the letter. "Another good example of how good the extended hours are for the community is when a few weeks ago we were able to bring a lady to her family's home to be able to visit with family from out of town and enjoy the day.
"The family mentioned that it had been quite a long time since their mother had been able to go to the family farm."
The letter also contained monthly usage statistics of the handivan's extended hours service from late December 2018 to Sept. 18 of this year. The total number of trips for that period was 203.
Karen Bradbury, the town's community and social development coordinator and a member of the transportation committee, said users pay $5 for a one-way ride in town, and if going to Red Deer or Olds the cost is $25 for a one-way ride or $50 for a two-way trip.
In the meantime, Bradbury said she was confident all the necessary data information will be completed and available for next month's Transportation Committee meeting.
"There is usage of the service. There are some days showing more usage than others. That will all be reviewed by the Transportation Committee," said Bradbury. "They will also review how the service has gone and discuss going forward."
