A group of volunteers in the South Shuswap are trying to fill the transportation gap for residents of the area.
The South Shuswap Transportation Society has applied for grants in hopes of purchasing an electric car so they can provide rides by-donation to those in need.
The society had a $25,000 grant in aid approved by the Columbia Shuswap Regional District to help fund the purchase of the car; the regional district will be deciding whether to help them access more money at their Thursday, Aug. 15 meeting.
The transportation society is requesting the CSRD’s help in drafting a rural dividend fund grant application totalling as much as $50,800 to go towards the purchase of a car if it is approved.
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At the Aug. 15 meeting, the CSRD will also be deciding whether to use $52,500 from the Electoral Area C Community Works Fund for the purchase and installation of an electric vehicle charging station to be set up in Sorrento.
A letter to the CSRD from Barbara Fairclough, the transportation society’s secretary, states the charging station is to be installed at Sorrento Tirecraft. She said the tire shop has been very supportive of what they are doing.
Fairclough said the society is taking a page out of the Sicamous-based Eagle Valley Transportation Society’s playbook by trying to set up a service where volunteer drivers help those in need of transportation. She said many people in the community are seeing a transportation gap, particularly seniors, who sometimes require help getting to medical appointments in Kelowna or Kamloops.
According to Fairclough, a committee is being set up to look into the electric vehicle options which will be available to the society. She said range which can be travelled is the primary attribute the committee will be considering in trying to find the electric vehicle which will best suit the society’s riders. Fairclough added that once funding is obtained and the society can get up and running with an electric car, additions such as a wheelchair accessible van will be considered.
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She said the society is not up and running yet and is still focused on gathering information and planning, its members hope to be able to provide affordable transportation soon.
Those seeking more information, or who are interested in volunteering with the society once it is up and running, can contact them at sstransportationsociety@gmail.com.
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jim.elliot@saobserver.net
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Going through grant application process to try to get the purchase of an electric car
Taken a page out of EVTS playbook setting this up a lot like that, need is very apparent
When you look at overall transportation options they are slim. Seniors see a gap.
Some work has been done transportation need in area C.
Trying to fill in the gaps. Kelowna for Chemo Treatments.
when people are ill they might not be working
serves a number of different.. no other transportation.
Trying to set it up to be as close to being free as possible. Drivers will be volunteer drivers, members of the society.
No one wil lbe turned away will be offered on a donation basis.
Sorrento Tirecrafrt very supportive of what they’re doing.
Possible it will be available for the public when it is.
Comittee being set up to look at vehicle. Vehicle with a good mileage range, range seems to be the biggest question, ultimately what they want to d is findsoemthign that serves the riders the best.
Might look into wheelchair accesible vansetc. But for now range is immediate
Brand new society, not up and running yet still gathering info, trying to get service up and running ASAP.
For more information sstransportationsociety@gmail.com