New experiences come quite easily to some but for others it can be daunting.
The Prince George Council of Seniors is hosting a Seniors Transit Tea Tuesday, June 17 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. so seniors can take the mystery out of stepping on that big bus for the first time.
Lola Dawn Fennell, council of seniors manager, who uses the bus as her main source of transportation,was recently featured in a Citizen story about seniors after they give up their driver's licence.
"I was shocked at how many people came to me after the article was published to tell me they were interested in taking the bus but didn't know the first thing about it," said Fennell.
That gave her the idea to approach Prince George Transit to help take the fear out of getting on a bus.
"We are hosting a Seniors Transit Tea," said Fennell. "Transit will be bringing a bus and parking it right in front of the Resource Centre for about an hour so seniors can get on the bus so they can see how it's done. They can get on and off the bus, see how to pay the fare, where to sit, and talk to a bus driver if they have any questions."
The buses in Prince George are physically easy to access. There's no giant leap that needs to be taken, In fact, the bus kneels.
"All the buses have the ability to kneel," said James Vine, operations manager at PG Transit. "The fleet is all low-floor buses, meaning the floor is all one level, with the exception of an area at the very back of the bus that's got a couple of steps up to it. The front area has flip up seats with the ability to house wheelchairs and scooters. When the buses are knelt at the curb, they sit only about two inches higher than the curb, if not level with the curb and all the buses are equipped with the wheelchair ramps as well, which fold out from the bus, allowing for someone in a wheelchair or scooter to go straight onto the bus."
Attendees are encouraged to call ahead at 250-564-5888 to say they're coming just so there are enough refreshments available for everyone.
