Thousands of Canadians who live in rural or remote communities rely on a community shuttle to get where they need to go. Last year, we were fortunate enough to connect with three Canadians who count on their local community shuttle.
They shared with us what their community shuttle meant to them and how they came to begin using it. Their shared experiences were insightful and gave us a further appreciation of how important this service is.
We were thrilled to learn that they were all happy to connect with us again this year to help us understand what features of the community shuttles they travel in are most important to them and why.
Fern from Manitoba
Fern, who lives in a small community in Manitoba has been using the Community Shuttle since 2019. She gave up driving as she was no longer comfortable behind the wheel. The Community Shuttle allows her to give up driving without relying on someone to drive her where she needs to go. Fern was happy to sit down with us again to help us understand what vehicle features were important to her.
What kind of vehicles have you travelled in with your local accessible Community Shuttle service?
There have been two different vehicles. One was like a very small bus, but they aren’t using that one anymore. Now they have larger van.
Which of the three accessible vehicles do you enjoy riding in the most and why?
The larger van because it’s easy for me to get in and out of. It has a ramp that I can walk up. The older bus had steep steps, which made it difficult for older people to get in and out of.
What else do you like about the large wheelchair van?
It looks like a proper shuttle – something that you would think of to pick you up at the airport when you are on vacation. It feels like a vehicle that you want to be in.
That’s an interesting observation – why is it important to you that the van looks like a proper shuttle?
That’s hard to explain. The wheelchair bus was old and a bit of an eye sore and it reminded me of a school bus. Those are ok for kids, but at my age, I prefer something a little classier. I guess it’s more dignified and doesn’t feel like you are travelling in a special vehicle for the elderly. It’s nice.
So would you say dignified travel is important to you?
Yes, it is. Don’t get me wrong – if the bus was the only option, I would still take it, but the larger van is a nicer way to travel.
Are there any other features of the van that you appreciate?
Yes! It has a great heating system, which is important here in the Manitoba winter. The drivers always keep it nice and warm. Unfortunately, the older bus never was warm enough for my liking. It could be because it was getting on in years, so I used to bring a blanket with me when we rode into the city.
In a few words, could you describe the features of a Community Shuttle that are most important to you?
It should be a vehicle that looks like something that you want to drive in. It needs to be easy to get in and out of and be nice and warm during the winter months.
Dale from Alberta
Our next stop was to meet with Dale, who lives in rural Alberta. Due to a visual impairment, Dale has been relying on the Community Shuttle for more than 20 years.
What kind of vehicles have you travelled in with your local accessible Community Shuttle service?
There have been a few over the years, mainly buses and small vans, depending on the number of passengers on a particular trip. Right now, the van that takes me to work and back is a Ford Transit.
Which of the three accessible vehicles do you enjoy riding in the most and why?
The small vans. The accessible minivans are nice because you can talk to the driver and the other passengers, being that they’re smaller and quiet.
You mentioned the wheelchair accessible minivans are quiet – are the other vehicles noisier?
The Ford Transit wheelchair van is quiet, but it’s larger so it’s not as easy to chat with the driver or fellow passengers, like you can in a minivan. I guess this is expected in a larger vehicle.
What else do you like about the minivan?
It’s inconspicuous. It looks like any other minivan on the road, and you can’t tell that you are in a specialized vehicle.
Is it important to you that your ride isn’t noticeably a specialized van?
Well, not exactly, but it’s nice to travel the same way everyone else does. I don’t like to be seen receiving special treatment.
Are there any other features of the wheelchair accessible minivan that you appreciate?
Yes, it’s comfortable. The seats are great, there is enough headroom, and the windows can open to get fresh air. It’s a nice way to get from point A to point B. The van makes it easy for me to get to my seat because I step into the van and there is a seat to sit on. In the larger vehicles, I sometimes need help to find a seat due to my vision, so it’s nice to be able to do that independently. I also like that I have the option to sit in the front seat. It’s nice to chat with the drivers to pass the time. There is no passenger seat in the front when you’re riding the bus.
In a few words, could you describe the features of a Community Shuttle that are most important to you?
The most important thing to me is that it’s comfortable and that I can use it without needing help to get to my seat. I like the dignity it gives me.
Jacquie from Southern Ontario
Next, we met with Jacquie from Southern Ontario. Jacquie has been using her local Community Shuttle for nine years because of an aggressive form of MS. She has been using a wheelchair since 2014.
What kind of vehicles have you travelled in with your local accessible Community Shuttle service?
When I first started using the shuttle, it was a bus with a wheelchair lift on the side near the back. Now they have a nice van. It’s a little smaller, but I like it much better than the big bus.
Why do you like the shuttle van more than the bus?
Mostly because instead of a wheelchair lift, there is a ramp at the side. It makes getting on the shuttle much quicker, which is great when it’s hot or very cold.
You mentioned the van is quicker to get in and out of. Why did it take longer for you to get on the bus?
It was the wheelchair lift. We had to wait for the driver to lower it, then get me on it, then for it to go up. Then the driver had to push me into the van. It only took a minute or two, but it always seemed like a long time in the cold.
What else do you like about the van?
I can see out the windows! In the bus, the fogged up in the winter or when it was humid. It made the ride seem longer when you can’t look out the window. Also, I used to feel bad for other passengers sitting in the van waiting for me to get on in the winter. The doors where the lift is had to be wide open, losing all the heat while waiting for me to get on. It took forever to warm up again, and I didn’t like that.
Is the heating and cooling not an issue on the new van?
It’s less of an issue, for sure. The door isn’t as big, and I am in the van so fast that it doesn’t have time to get that cold. I think the other passengers appreciate it too because everyone is more comfortable no matter what time of year it is.
Are there any other features of the Community Shuttle that are important to you?
Yes, there are. A smooth ride is important to me because the bus often had a bumpy ride. When you use a wheelchair, you feel each bump much more than if you are in a seat, so it can be uncomfortable. The new van is much better – I barely feel any bumps in the road!
Passenger feedback
We appreciated Fern, Dale and Jacquie taking the time to share what they do and don’t appreciate about their local Community Shuttle vehicles. Their feedback is helpful in considering what accessible vehicle features are important to passengers.
If your community is looking for ways to implement a community shuttle, talk to a mobility expert today.
