Did you know Veiner Vintage Transport is a new program in Medicine Hat and the surrounding area for our 50+ community? In September of 2024, we will have been on the road for an entire year already.
Eligible riders are anyone who require transportation services due to income restrictions, inability to drive and are 50+. Our goal is to transport people to priority appointments such as the doctor, dentist, lawyer, bank, chiropractor, physical and mental rehabilitation and the Veiner Centre. This program helps support older adults in our community to live longer in their own homes, reduce feelings of isolation and help remove barriers to service.
We are a program fueled by volunteer drivers. Our drivers ensure our riders get to appointments safely and comfortably with some great conversations along the way. For some of our riders, their volunteer driver may be the only person they interact with that day.
These rides offer a social connection that these older adults need. Our volunteers are doing an informal wellness check while visiting with their passengers to see if they may require additional support from other programs or services.
If you require a ride, are 50 years of age or older, are unable to drive for any reason and other public transportation is not an option, call us at 403-525-8657. Talk with our Transport facilitator and see if you qualify for this program. Pricing for a ride is based on income. If your annual income is less than $25,000/year a ride is $5.00 round trip. If your income is above $30,000/year the price is $10.00 for a round trip ride. Unfortunately, at this time, we are unable to accommodate wheelchairs or scooters.
And after nearly a full of operations, we are offering anywhere from 70-100 rides a month to the older adults in our community. That means 70-100 individuals per month are getting to crucial medical appointments, legal appointments, and bank appointments. They also can come down to Unison at Veiner Centre and interact with others, and participate in recreation and fitness activities. We are making a difference in their lives by providing them with opportunities to remain in their homes for longer, attend necessary appointments in a safe and secure manner and improve their mental and physical health.
Are you looking for a way to help out Veiner Vintage Transport. We can always use volunteer drivers. We are able to reimburse our volunteers $0.20 cents/km. All volunteers at Unison at Veiner Centre are eligible for a half-price membership at the Veiner Centre. And our amazing community partner, Mint Car Wash means our volunteers receive free car washes.
This August, we are spreading the word of how important Veiner Vintage Transport is for our community. Veiner Vintage Transport is mainly funded by Healthy Aging Alberta and New Horizons for Seniors grant, but we still require additional funding to ensure we can keep our volunteers on the road and keep the rides affordable for the riders. We wish to invite you and join us in making a huge difference for our 50+ community right here in Medicine Hat, by making a donation to our program or becoming a volunteer driver. Let us keep offering our seniors all the benefits of Veiner Vintage Transport.