News Release
Limited Access-A-Bus service to begin Monday
(Wednesday, February 15, 2012) – Metro Transit will be offering a limited Access-A-Bus service to its clients beginning Monday. The services will be available to registered Access-A-Bus users for transportation to and from medical and specialist appointments.
“We recognize that this transit strike is hard on all of our passengers, but we feel we must direct our limited staff resources to assisting those of our clientele most in need,” said Metro Transit Director Eddie Robar.
Mayor Peter Kelly said the decision was made to resume the service because the strike was causing distress and suffering to vulnerable residents of HRM.
“Registered Access-A-Bus users are unable to keep medical appointments, often made months in advance,” said Mayor Kelly. “These and similarly situated citizens have very limited mobility options and depend on Metro Transit’s Access-A-Bus service.”
Until the strike is over, Transit management staff will be operating the Access-A-Bus vehicles. Service to dialysis patients, which has been in place since the Feb. 2 beginning of the strike, will continue.
“While this is a limited service, we hope it will offer some help to the people whose medical well-being depends upon our Access-A-Bus service,” said Mr. Robar.
Mr. Robar urged the Access-A-Bus passengers to be patient as staff work through familiarizing themselves with scheduling trips and operating the service.
Access-A-Bus passengers can call 490-6999 starting this Saturday, Feb. 18, to begin booking trips for Monday and beyond.
Metro Transit's Access-A-Bus service is a shared ride, door-to-door, transit service for persons who are unable to use the conventional transit system due to physical or cognitive disabilities and are declared eligible through a registration process. The Access-A-Bus service is meant to supplement Metro Transit's fixed route system. Currently there are over 1800 registered users of Access-A-Bus.
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Contact:
Shaune MacKinlay
HRM Corporate Communications
490-6531
