HandiBus Foundation donates eight buses to Calgary Transit Access

There’s nothing like the smell of a new vehicle and Calgary Transit Access customers will experience that first hand when eight new buses hit the road this week.

Thanks to the generous donations that Calgary HandiBus Foundation received in 2016, eight buses that provide specialized transportation for persons with disabilities were donated to Calgary Transit Access.

Donors were recognized for their contributions on June 21 at Calgary Transit Access. Maren Mueller was there to see the bus that she donated in memory of her husband Herbert. “My husband wanted to donate a bus because he used the service often. I’m overjoyed to see it, and I wish it a long lifetime of safe journeys,” she said.

Maren Mueller (centre), bus donors, Calgary HandiBus Foundation board members, and
Calgary HandiBus Foundation staff in front of 8 brand new buses

Calgary Transit Director Doug Morgan was at the event to thank the donors. “We spend a lot of time talking about big transportation projects like the Green Line, but the service that Calgary Transit Access provides is the really important, day-to-day stuff that we do,” said Doug. “Calgary Transit Access is a lifeline to Calgarians who are unable to take regular public transit – we get them to their appointments, special events and school, and it makes a huge difference in their lives.”

The HandiBus Foundation uses donations from citizens to purchase the highly specialized buses, which cost $90,000 each and last approximately 8 to 9 years. Calgary Transit Access provides transportation services to 15,000 Calgarians with disabilities who are unable to use public transit.