Is your community struggling with transportation gaps? If you’re thinking about starting a handi-transit program in Canada, you’ve probably noticed some big problems:
- Seniors missing medical appointments
- People with disabilities feeling stuck at home
- Limited access to jobs, healthcare, and social activities
These gaps can lead to serious health issues, lost opportunities, and isolation. But it doesn’t have to be this way. A handi-transit program can change lives by giving people safe, reliable transportation. It helps them stay connected, independent, and healthy.
At MoveMobility, we’ve spent over 20 years helping organizations like yours and Loft Community Services remove barriers to transportation and healthcare. We’re Ford QVM and Stellantis QPro certified, and while we’re proud of our work, we know we’re not the only option out there. Our goal is to share helpful, unbiased information to support your journey.
In this case study, you’ll learn how Paul Siller started the Rocky View Regional Handibus Society and how his experience might help give your organization some direction too.
Understanding the need for a handi-transit program
For 45 years, the Rocky View Regional Handibus Society has been filling transportation gaps in Alberta. But as Paul Siller explains, identifying the need wasn’t about complex data or reports—it was about listening to the community and recognizing the real-life challenges people faced.
How did it all start?
The program began in Airdrie when a group of parents with disabled children realized they had no way to get their kids to school. A local resource centre managed to secure funding for a bus, and by 1980, the school division was ready to integrate students into regular classrooms. But there was one problem—they needed a way to transport the kids.
“The school division was enlightened enough to say, ‘We’d love to try mainstreaming and integrate regular classes, but you’ve got to get them here.’” – Paul Siller
From there, the program grew. It expanded to nearby areas, starting small but gradually reaching more communities. By the time Paul joined in 2000, they were serving Chestermere, Langdon, and surrounding areas, just 10 km from the Calgary border.
The power of personal stories
Paul emphasizes that the real driver behind the handi-transit program wasn’t just the number of people affected but the stories behind those numbers.
Collecting stories: They asked people to share their challenges in 25 words or less. The stories were simple but powerful:
- “My husband just passed away, and I never learned how to drive.”
- “I can’t get to my appointments without help.”
“What persuades isn’t the fact that you have a number. It’s the situation that drives home why you’re even considering this and why it’s important to fundraise and talk about.” – Paul Siller
These stories were the kickstarter for making things happen. Once people saw the real impact, the momentum grew, and it became easier to get community support and funding.
Gauging community support
Support from the community didn’t appear overnight. Paul and his team had to actively engage people and show why the program mattered.
- Phone calls and complaints: The first signs of need came from calls to town halls and regional municipalities. As more people voiced their struggles, it became clear something had to be done.
- Templates for feedback: The team created simple templates to collect stories and feedback, asking people what they needed in a few words. This helped them understand the specific issues people were facing.
What challenges did the handi-transit program face?
One of the biggest obstacles was the stigma around using handi-transit services.
- Stigma from the past: Many older adults grew up hearing negative terms about specialized school transportation and may feel hesitant about being associated with that image.
- Reframing the message: Paul found that even the term “handi-transit” could be a setback. Instead of focusing on disabilities, they shifted the conversation to talk about transportation barriers. This helped people feel more comfortable using the service.
“It’s not about a disability—it’s about people facing transportation barriers. That makes a big difference for those considering a ride.” – Paul Siller
Making the handi-transit service work for the community
Once the need was clear, the next step was making the service convenient and accessible. If the program didn’t meet people’s needs, they would go back to struggling with limited options.
- Trial runs: The team ran small trial projects to see what worked and adjusted based on feedback.
- Community involvement: Volunteers played a big role in keeping the program running. Sometimes, it was as simple as having someone available to answer the phones.
- Convenience is key: If the service wasn’t easy to use, people wouldn’t stick with it. It had to fit into their daily lives without adding extra stress.
“If it’s not convenient, they’ll go back to whatever they used to do before that source dropped away.” – Paul Siller
The bigger picture: Transportation and health
Paul believes that transportation is a critical part of health and well-being, but it often gets overlooked.
“Transportation is a foundation of health, but no one wants to pay attention to that.” – Paul Siller
Funding and financial sustainability for a handi-transit program
Funding a handi-transit program can feel overwhelming, but Paul Siller and the Rocky View Regional Handibus Society found smart, practical ways to get started and keep going. They didn’t rely on just one source of money. Instead, they combined different strategies to make the program strong and sustainable.
How they got the money to start
Everything began with a family resource center. They needed a bus to help students with disabilities get to school. Once that first bus was running, more funding opportunities opened up.
- Help from the school board: The school board noticed the handi-transit program and asked them to help more kids get to school, especially in areas where regular buses wouldn’t go.
“It was more affordable for the school board to have us do it.” – Paul Siller
- Using the buses during off-hours: After the morning school run, the buses were free from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. During that time, they offered rides to other municipalities, which brought in more money.
Show the value of your services
Paul talks about the importance of thinking like a business and showing that your handi-transit services can benefit everyone. They showed organizations how the handi-transit program could save them money.
- One price for all organizations:
“We use the same rate for organizations we work with. We’ll let you know how much we do, and you’re not going to like the price, but I’m sure you’ll like it more than having to do it yourself.” – Paul Siller
- Showing the value: Organizations saw that working with the handi-transit program was cheaper and easier than running their own services. This made it easier to secure long-term partnerships.
Keeping the program running
Starting a handi-transit program is one thing, but keeping it running takes planning. Paul and his team focused on making the program efficient and getting the community involved.
- Working together with other towns: Partnering with nearby municipalities helped share the costs and made the program stronger.
- Proving the program’s value: They showed funders that the handi-transit program was efficient, reliable, and worth supporting.
“You save money by developing collaborations, you find money by suggesting that there’s an efficiency, and then you demonstrate what you can do.” – Paul Siller
- Community fundraising: While partnerships helped with regular costs, the community stepped up when it was time to buy new buses. Local fundraising events brought people together and helped raise the money they needed.
“There’s a real community aspect to getting the vehicle.” – Paul Siller
Through a mix of smart planning, strong partnerships, and community support, the Rocky View Regional Handibus Society built a program that continues to thrive today.
Regulatory and legal considerations for a handi-transit program
Starting a handi-transit program means more than just getting a bus and picking people up. There are important legal and regulatory steps to follow to make sure everything runs safely and smoothly. Paul Siller from the Rocky View Regional Handibus Society shares how they tackled these challenges and what others should keep in mind.
Understanding the regulations
Paul makes it clear: if you’re going to run a handi-transit program, you need to do it right.
- Know the rules: Every province has different requirements, so it’s important to understand what applies in your area.
“Find everything you need to comply with and comply with it.” – Paul Siller
- Insurance coverage: Getting insurance can be tricky and expensive, but there are ways to find reasonable rates. Since handi-transit programs often know who’s riding and can track passengers, this might help lower insurance costs compared to regular public transit.
Key legal requirements to plan for
Here are some of the main regulatory and legal considerations Paul recommends focusing on:
- Vehicle inspections:
- In Alberta, inspections cost around $250 each and need to be done regularly.
- You’ll also need to log any defects and make sure repairs are handled quickly.
“You don’t save money by skipping repairs.” – Paul Siller
- Safety fitness certificate: This is a must for running a handi-transit service. Keeping your records organized is key to staying compliant.
- Regular check-ups: Inspections are needed every six months, and you’ll need a solid system for tracking maintenance and safety checks.
- Driver logs: Depending on your region, you might not need to keep detailed driver logs. For example, in Alberta, programs operating within an 80 km radius don’t have to log hours, unlike those traveling beyond 160 km.
What are the hidden benefits of following regulations?
While regulations can feel like a hassle, Paul points out that there are some financial perks for staying compliant.
- Tax savings:
- If your program gets recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) as a municipal service, you can get 100% of your GST back and even recover some PST.
“You can knock off 5% of your annual operating costs right there.” – Paul Siller
- Fuel excise tax rebate:
- If you’re only transporting people with disabilities using gasoline vehicles, you can qualify for a 1.5-cent excise tax rebate on fuel.
- Keeping track of your fuel statements can help you claim this rebate.
Tips for handling regulations
Paul believes that while regulations might seem intimidating at first, they’re manageable with the right approach.
- Stay organized: Keeping good records of inspections, repairs, and compliance requirements makes everything easier.
- Tackle issues early: Don’t wait until something breaks to fix it. Staying ahead of repairs not only keeps people safe but also saves money in the long run.
- Let problem drivers go: Part of staying compliant with safety regulations means making tough decisions, like letting go of drivers who have frequent accidents or incidents.
“Don’t be afraid to tackle the regulation stuff. It’s not that hard, but it can be time-consuming.” – Paul Siller
Following legal and regulatory guidelines might take some time, but it’s a key part of running a safe and successful handi-transit program.
How do you build community partnerships for a successful handi-transit program?
A handi-transit program doesn’t grow on its own. It takes strong community partnerships and continuous engagement with local organizations, businesses, and government agencies. Paul Siller from the Rocky View Regional Handibus Society shares how partnerships played a key role in the program’s success and offers advice on building those connections.
How do you engage with the community?
Paul explains that building partnerships starts with simple conversations. It’s about getting the word out and making sure people know the service exists.
- Talk to local groups: Sharing what your handi-transit program offers helps spread awareness, whether through a Rotary Club, Lions Club, or a local church group.
“You need to talk to every service club and offer to do a presentation to keep people in the loop.” – Paul Siller
- Word of mouth: Encourage people to share information with their neighbors. The more people know about the service, the more likely they are to recommend it to someone who needs it.
“What you’re trying to do is tell people about it in case their neighbor needs it.” – Paul Siller
Keeping people informed
It’s important to keep the community updated on how the program is doing. This helps maintain interest and support over time.
- Regular updates: Sharing stories and numbers about how many people the program has helped can make a big difference. Even something simple, like a quarterly report, can show the impact.
“Just doing a quick story quarterly of something like how many numbers you had and how you’re working on stuff, how you’re helping the province save money.” – Paul Siller
- Show the financial benefits: When people raise concerns about costs, it helps to explain the bigger picture.
“When someone does say this costs a lot, for every $1,000 spent, it’s more like $7,000 being saved.” – Paul Siller
The importance of referrals
Paul points out that most people don’t use a handi-transit service just for fun—they use it because they’re stranded by a situation. This makes referrals from the community even more important.
- Build trust in the service: People need to know they can confidently refer others to the program. The more reliable and well-known the service is, the more comfortable people will feel recommending it.
“People have to know they can refer people to you.” – Paul Siller
Ready to start your handi-transit program?
You likely came to this article because you saw a transportation gap in your community and wanted to find a solution. Starting a handi-transit program can feel like a big challenge, but now that you’ve seen how Rocky View Regional Handibus Society built a successful system, you might feel more confident to take that first step.
Seeing how another organization tackled funding, regulations, and community partnerships shows that it’s possible—and your community can benefit too.
At MoveMobility, we’re here to support you in building a program that makes a real difference. If you have any questions, click the button below to talk to a mobility expert.
Not quite ready to chat? Check out some of our other resources to learn more.
Start by checking out our article on how your budget can affect your transit program.
After that, learn more about wheelchair van customization for your handi-transit program.
