City's Transit Fare Assistance Program Supports Community Agencies and Their Clients
March 20 - 2008 - The City of Fredericton has once again donated 5,650 single ride City Transit and Dial-A-Bus tickets to non-profit community service organizations for use by their clients, the City's Transportation Committee was told today.
The $10,000 City Transit Fare Assistance Program was renewed for 2008 after the first full year of the program in 2007 was such a resounding success.
"The City Transit Fare Assistance Program addresses an identified need in the community and benefits both the community agencies and their clients," said Transportation Committee Chair Marilyn Kerton. "It is heart-warming to hear how this program has helped individuals gain more independence and improve their quality of life."
Sixteen organizations qualified to receive the bus tickets in 2008. The tickets were for their clients to use to get to job interviews, access educational or skills training programs, attend medical appointments, visit the food bank, counselling services, or take advantage of recreational opportunities.
The 16 organizations include: The Boys & Girls Club; Canadian Mental Health Association; Canadian Paraplegic Association; Community Health Clinic; Fredericton Emergency Shelters; Fredericton Food Bank; Jobs Unlimited; John Howard Society; Multicultural Association of Fredericton; NB Community Residences; Salvation Army; The Canadian Deaf, Blind & Rubella Association; The Meeting Place; YMCA Family Friend Program; YMCA Street Outreach; and Youth in Transition.
The organizations are responsible for maintaining and submitting monthly records on their ticket usage and preparing and submitting a final report in November on the impact of this program on their organization and their clients.
Comments from the organizations on the value of the program included the following:
- "One single mom told us that she would not have been able to send her son to the Y for activities. Being able to send him there after school also allowed her to get some additional hours of work each week."
- "The program allows our clients to gain independence in their ability to get around this community and promote normalization for the people we serve."
The Transit Fare Assistance Program was initiated in 2006 by the City of Fredericton as a six-month pilot project in response to a request from community voluntary organizations. The program recognizes the significant contribution to the quality of life in Fredericton these organizations make and helps them fulfill their mandates.
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Media Contact: Joanne Thomson, Community Liaison Coordinator, City of Fredericton. (506) 460-2188
