INNISFAIL – The newly announced transportation pilot project in Central Alberta is good news for Innisfail and area residents, say a number of people.
The pilot will be funded by the Alberta government and will provide transportation from Innisfail, Springbrook and Penhold to and from Red Deer. A timeline for the start of the bus service has not been announced.
Karen Bradbury, community and social development coordinator with the Town of Innisfail, said the new service will help families, individuals and a range of other residents.
“I think it will really support families in being able to access services in Red Deer, like any kind of government services or specialist services,” said Bradbury. “We have great services in Innisfail but we do rely on organizations and programs in Red Deer as well.
The project could also benefit college students and open up employment opportunities for Innisfail residents, she noted.
“I’m hoping that it’ll allow more of our residents to be employed. If there’s no work (available) in Innisfail, maybe they can get work in Red Deer,” said Bradbury.
Seniors are another group expected to benefit from the pilot project.
Gail Holm with the Innisfail Seniors Drop-In Centre is one senior who is thrilled with the news.
“I heard (the news) this week on the radio and thought, it’s about time,” said Holm, noting she looks forward to using the new bus system.
“I can hardly wait. I don’t have a car myself so this is going to be awesome,” she added. “I have friends and relatives in Red Deer and I don’t get to see them very often because I don’t drive, so this is going to open my world.”
Holm said the bus route will be a welcome addition to small communities like Innisfail.
“I do have a few appointments and I do shop once in a while (in Red Deer), only when I can get a friend to drive me in.
“I won’t have to rely on people anymore,” said Holm. “Now that the Greyhound bus is not going to be here either, it’s going to be really hard and I think the seniors are going to really enjoy this. It will give them an opportunity to be more independent.”
Jo-Ann Symington, community services manager with Red Deer County said they are still working on details for the transportation pilot project.
“We’re just at preliminary stages right now, of the planning,” she said, noting there was no timeline available as to when the project will be implemented. “We got approved for the grant and now we’re working through the details to look at what the service would look like.”
Some of those details will include accessibility, cost and route structure she added.
Another Innisfail senior, Marlene Johnson, said that many seniors in Innisfail have been waiting for a project like this.
“I think it’s a good idea. I know there’s a lot (of people) that need it. I’m talking from people that want it up at Sunset Manor,” said Johnson. “It’s going to be quite usable by Innisfail’s seniors at Sunset Manor and at Country Lodge."
