Written by BERNICE TRICK
Citizen staff
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Wednesday, 03 December 2008 |
Northern Health's Connections bus service for patients with appointments away from home has hit a record high in ridership.
November was the first month in which more than 1,000 passengers travelled. The service has carried more than 16,000 passengers from the North to medical services in Vancouver during the two years it's been offered.
"(The program) is proving its value through the large number of people who use the service to travel to a medical appointment," said Health Minister George Abbott. "The program supports our commitment to improving access to health services, especially in rural parts of our province."
NH Connections offers 15 routes connecting communities across northern B.C., along with service to Vancouver. The northeast benefits from Connections service to Grande Prairie, Alta. while Robson Valley patients take advantage of a weekly route to Kamloops.
Dennis Olson of DTL Motor Division is pleased to be able to partner with Northern Health.
"The success of this program is a prime example of how two organizations can work together for a common goal," he said.
Sean Hardiman, NH chief liaison officer and Connections manager, said reaching a milestone of 1,000 passengers in a month "is a significant accomplishment."
"We worked hard to develop a service that would make a meaningful difference to northerners and this is a good indicator we've accomplished that goal."
During its third year, Connections will be working on a number of enhancements to the program and will renew its marketing efforts to encourage northern patients to choose the service to travel to specialized health services that can't be accessed locally.
The buses, which are wheelchair accessible, provide some same-day short distance trips as well as long distance travel. Fares range from $20 to $80 return, depending on the length of travel. The program is financed by $4 million a year by the B.C. government. For more information call 1-888-647-4997 or visit the web site at www.northernhealth.ca/nhconnections.
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 03 December 2008 )
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