Cape Breton accessible bus service overwhelmed by calls for medical appointments

Cape Breton Regional Municipality’s Handi-Trans service is facing a significant challenge due to the overwhelming demand from individuals needing transportation to medical appointments. Public works manager John Phalen highlighted during recent budget discussions that Handi-Trans now caters to 900 clients, a substantial increase from the past when the provincial ambulance system handled the majority of these cases.

Phalen emphasized that 60% of the calls received by Handi-Trans are for medical appointments, indicating a significant strain on the service. Deputy Mayor Eldon MacDonald expressed concern about the situation, noting that Handi-Trans was initially designed to support 200 clients, not the current 900 individuals relying on the service.

Despite being intended for individuals who cannot utilize regular transit, Handi-Trans is also meant to accommodate social and recreational trips. However, MacDonald highlighted that individuals seeking non-medical trips are being turned away due to the high demand. He mentioned that the waiting list is consistently full, making it challenging for the service to cater to the broader community effectively.

To address the escalating demand, MacDonald proposed the addition of buses to the fleet. He emphasized the need for more resources to enhance the service and meet the growing transportation needs of the community. Phalen supported this suggestion, stating that having more buses would help alleviate the pressure on the Handi-Trans system.

In response to the pressing need for additional resources, the capital budget for this year includes a request for six accessible minibuses. These minibuses can be utilized for Handi-Trans services or regular transit routes requiring smaller buses. Wayne MacDonald, the public works director, mentioned that discussions are underway with the province and Emergency Health Services (EHS) to secure funding for these buses and ease the burden on the Handi-Trans system.

The efforts to expand the fleet and secure funding for new accessible minibuses demonstrate a proactive approach to addressing the challenges faced by Cape Breton’s Handi-Trans service. By enhancing the transportation options available to residents, the municipality aims to improve accessibility and ensure that individuals requiring medical appointments can receive the necessary support.