Did you know public transit in Canada is in a funding crisis? If you’re part of a handi-transit organization serving your community’s most vulnerable people, you’ve likely felt this pinch firsthand.
With limited budgets, finding reliable transportation solutions can feel like an uphill battle. You want to provide dependable handi-transit services, but the costs—upfront purchases, ongoing maintenance, fuel—can be overwhelming. You might even wonder if your budget is too stretched to meet your goals.
But here’s the thing: leaving this gap unresolved has a real cost. Without the right handi-transit vehicles, your clients face missed medical appointments, loss of independence, and isolation. The gap between where you are now and the transportation solutions you need feels massive, doesn’t it? Imagine if you could close that gap. What if there was a way to stay within budget while still ensuring your community gets where they need to go safely?
At MoveMobility, we’ve been solving this problem for over 20 years. Our handi-transit vans help organizations like yours reduce barriers to transportation and healthcare—saving lives in the process. While we’re not the only manufacturer in this space, our expertise and decades of experience mean we understand your challenges better than most. We’ve seen firsthand what works (and what doesn’t).
In this article, you’ll find a breakdown of leasing vs. buying handi-transit vehicles to help you decide what’s best for your limited budget. You’ll learn the challenges of financing a handi-transit van and how you can overcome this hurdle. Let’s get started.
The funding gap: Why financing handi-transit vehicles feels impossible
Let’s face it—financing handi-transit vehicles feels like a never-ending challenge for many:
- Organizations
- Towns
- Rural communities
- Smaller counties
- Healthcare agencies
You know your handi-transit vans are essential for connecting people to healthcare, work, and community services. But with budgets already stretched thin and funding sources drying up, how are you supposed to afford the vehicles you desperately need?
The reality for many organizations is bleak:
- Their current handi-transit vans are 10–20 years old and break down more often.
- Maintenance costs are skyrocketing, draining what little budget is left.
- Passengers miss rides because the vans can’t meet demand.
- Waiting for funding feels like waiting forever, with no clear answers in sight.
Here’s the real frustration: No one is talking about these issues or offering actionable solutions. You’re doing everything you can to make things work, but the gap between your community’s needs and your resources keeps growing. It’s overwhelming, and you’re not alone in feeling stuck.
But what if we told you there’s another way to get your handi-transit vehicle? It might not come from traditional funding sources, but there are options to explore. You don’t have to wait forever to fix the problem—there’s hope ahead.
Why leasing a vehicle makes sense for tight budgets
When your organization is facing limited funding, leasing a handi-transit vehicle can feel like a lifeline. For many, the idea of coming up with $160,000 upfront is unrealistic. But finding $3,000 upfront through operational expenses? That might be manageable.
Leasing offers a way to get a reliable vehicle on the road faster without waiting years to save up. Here’s why that matters:
Rising costs: Vehicles don’t stay the same price. If it takes a year or two to save up, chances are the cost of a handi-transit van will have gone up significantly by the time you’re ready to buy. Leasing allows you to lock in today’s price and avoid future increases.
Faster replacement: Older vans are expensive to maintain and unreliable for passengers. Leasing gets you out of the cycle of endless repairs by putting a new van on the road now, not later.
Flexibility at the end of the lease: Once the lease term ends—typically around 5 to 6 years—you can have the vehicle auctioned off or trade it in for a new van. This cycle helps keep your fleet modern and efficient.
What about the cost of leasing? Yes, you may pay more over five years compared to purchasing upfront. But consider what you’re saving: time, stress, and unpredictable price hikes. Plus, you’ll be able to spread out payments, which feels much more achievable for many organizations than one large upfront expense.
Leasing is about keeping your community moving with reliable handi-transit services right now. With this option, you can avoid waiting for funding that may never come and focus on what matters most: delivering reliable transportation for those who need it most.
How much does it cost to lease a handi-transit van?
If you’re wondering about the numbers, leasing a handi-transit van typically costs between $2,250 and $2,600 per month. Keep in mind that this is just an estimate, it varies, and is subject to change.
For organizations already juggling tight budgets, that might seem like a lot. But compared to the $160,000 upfront cost of buying a van outright, leasing spreads the expense out into manageable monthly payments.
Thinking this might still be out of reach? Many organizations and communities have found creative ways to make leasing work. One option is securing monthly donors to help cover costs. Imagine partnering with local businesses, healthcare providers, or even individual donors who care about supporting accessible transportation in your area.
Here’s how some organizations do it:
Community fundraising: Hosting events or starting donation campaigns specifically to cover leasing costs.
Corporate sponsorships: Partnering with businesses that see the value of supporting handi-transit services.
Grants or subsidies: Applying for local or regional funding to reduce the financial burden.
Sometimes, the financial aspect of purchases requires getting creative and seeking community support. Leasing a handi-transit van can become a realistic solution even for organizations with the tightest budgets. It’s a way to keep your services running without waiting years for funding to come through—and without sacrificing reliability or safety for your passengers.
How can leasing a van change your community?
Imagine this: Lakeside Transport, a small organization in rural Manitoba, provides handi-transit services for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Their one remaining van—a 15-year-old handi-transit vehicle—breaks down almost weekly. Maintenance costs are eating up their already tiny budget, and passengers are starting to lose faith in the service.
The team at Lakeside Transport knows they need a new van, but the price tag of $160,000 is overwhelming. They’ve been applying for grants for two years but haven’t secured enough funding. Every time they check prices, the cost of a new van seems to climb higher. The community feels the impact:
- Seniors miss medical appointments because the van isn’t available.
- Wheelchair users can’t get to social events, leading to isolation.
- The community’s overall quality of life suffers as people lose access to basic services.
Feeling stuck, the team starts exploring leasing options. They realize they can lease a brand-new handi-transit van for $2,450 a month—an amount they can manage through operational funding and a few monthly donors.
Within weeks of signing the lease, Lakeside Transport has a reliable, accessible van back on the road. The impact is immediate:
- A senior couple can now visit their granddaughter in Winnipeg.
- A single mom using a wheelchair can get to her new job.
- Rural residents feel connected again instead of forgotten.
The community rallies behind the service, inspired by how one new van transforms so many lives. Lakeside Transport’s leasing decision ensures they can focus on what matters: giving people the dignity and freedom to live their lives fully, one ride at a time.
Learn more about leasing a handi-transit vehicle
You came to this article because affording a handi-transit van for your community feels like a steep hill to climb. The need for reliable transportation is clear, but funding challenges make it tough to know where to start.
After reading this article, you’ve learned that leasing is often a better option if you have a tight budget because of more flexibility and unpredictable price increases.
However, if you have secure funding or long-term grants available, buying outright could suit your situation better without dealing with the restrictions that often come with leasing agreements.
At MoveMobility, we’ve worked with hundreds of healthcare organizations, towns, rural communities, and organizations to create solutions that reduce barriers to transportation and healthcare. Every new van is a step toward stronger communities, better access, and brighter futures. Helping you find the right option—whether leasing or buying—is part of our commitment to saving lives and making mobility accessible for all.
Have questions about leasing or buying? Click the button below to speak with a mobility expert today.
Not ready to chat yet? No problem—take a look at our other resources to learn more about handi-transit solutions.
Start by checking out the video below on the cost of our wheelchair accessible vans at MoveMobility.
After that, read our article on wheelchair van customization for handi-transit programs. This should give you some insight as you navigate the process.
