Watch above: Saskatoon Transit strike drags on and people continue to find alternative rides
SASKATOON – The City of Saskatoon’s Access Transit program has continued to pick up riders, despite a lockout that has suspended its regular bus routes.
Access Transit is an essential service for the city, which is why it’s unaffected by the transit lockout.
“Access Transit is for people who have some type of disability or cognitive impairment that prevents them from riding regular transit without safety and/or dignity,” said Bob Howe, director of Saskatoon Transit.
The program uses an “eligibility criteria” that Howe said was similar to comparable transit programs in other parts of Canada.
‘There’s a questionnaire as well as there’s also a medical portion that has to be filled out by their medical practitioner,” said Howe of the process a potential applicant would take to be instated in the program.
Collette and Joe Warlow said they applied to be part of the program several years ago, but were turned down. The two say they are legally blind and are raising children who also have impaired vision.
The Warlow’s said they rely on Saskatoon Transit to get groceries and make appointments, which has been difficult since the lockout began.
I haven’t gone anywhere,” said Collette.
“Joe’s been to work and I haven’t been to any grocery shopping,” she added.
Howe said anyone whose application had been rejected in the past is encouraged to re-apply.
“Sometimes with certain conditions, people’s level of mobility can slowly decrease, so to speak, so people are more than welcome to apply again,” said Howe.
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