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The Canadian Champion, Friday, January 16, 2004--5 .,Much-needed transit service ~ for uisaOieU could start soon By JASON MISNER The Town will need to enter mnto issues. 1 thmnk wr're lookmng for- raises the dough. The Champion a new conîract for transit by that ward to providing a reasonable * Alan Jordan looks out bis bed- point. Wbatever companry that hap- level of service to Milton." 3 311 'MitvS rS, 'M iltan mot window at Deborah's Home penn to be, accessible transit will Transit for thc physically-chal- on Ontario Street North and ail he be appropriately looked after, lenged bas been in flux in Milton : (905) 878-5165 secs is snow. Bomn witb cerebral palsy and confined to a wheelcbair, snow isn't always a welcomcd site because it makes it nearly impossi- ble to use sidewalks to gel to places like Milton Mail. An inîerim service for the town's pbysically-cballenged only pro- vides trips for medical appoint- ments and that's n01 good enougb for Mr. Jordan. 42. But after learning the Town of Milton is poiscd to introduce a new longcr-tenin transit system for the physically-cballengcd, an excitcd Mr. Jordan feels he wilI re-gain some of bis independence. 'It's reaily needed," be said. not- ing he's contacted Milton politi- cians about a new service. It's pretty dam discouraging not to bave transportation." Town officiais will recommnend to, town council at its January 26 meeting 10 contract Laidlaw to pro- vide accessible transit service, starting as 5000 as possible until tbe end of Jonc, at a cost of $42,000. 'Mat money bas been set aside in the approved 2004 budget. Laidlaw bas a contract witb thse Town 10 provide conventionai tran- sit service, whicb expires June 30. wbetber it's witb another operator or extcndmng Laidlaw's contract, said Heidi Seblegl, Milton's co- ordinator of tramei and transit. "No malter wbat. thse service will be uninterrupîed," she said. Il would be offered Monday 10 Friday fromî 7 ans. util 6 p.m. Weekend service woold be bandled by taxis for non-wbeelcbair users and Red Cross would accommo- date wbeelcbair-bound users. Users will be able t0 book rides between seven days and 24 bours notice for destinations anywbere in Milton, but priority will be given 10 those witb medical appointmnents. Costs for Uic rides will be $2 for trips under 5 km, $5 for inps over 5 km and $20 (round-tnip) for mcd- icai purposes outside of Milton. There are eligibility require- ments 10 be met 10 qualify for thse service. Statisties show most riders use thc service for trips under 5 km. Jennifer Reynolds, Milton's director of commnunity services, expects thc new system lo be better and more reliable. "(Thse interimt measure) is not ideai, we know that," sbe said. "There bas been concemn exprcsscd about condition of vebicles and customer service since miid-last ycar. Last June, Milton Taxi stopped offering a wbeelchair accessible van because the van's licence expired due 10 thc age of the vebi- cIe, and thse taxi operator couldn't afford 10 boy a new van. On a temporary measure. the Town of Milton bas arranged tIsat Milton Taxi users contact tIse Canadian Red Cross Society 10 use ils wbeelcbair accessible van for medical appoinîmenîs only. Milton Taxi still offers service to non-wbeelchair users. Also, users wbo are associated wiîb Community Living North Halton for otber services, can use ils wbeelcbair accessible van aI no cbarge. 'bis service will continue until thc new service starts, Ms Reynolds said. Based on previously-offered transit services for tIse pbysicaily- cbailenged, approximately 11,000 riders accens il annuaily. MeanwIsilc, Town officiais will study tbe resulîs of a transit study tIsat could belp sbape bow future specialized transit needs can best be providcd for locai residents. Jason Misner can 6e reacheci at jmisner@miltoncanadianchampi- on.c om. HALTON CATHOLIC DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS for the year ended August 31, 2003 are available on the Board Website www.haltonre.edu.on.ca Copies are also available at the Board Office, 802 Drury Lane, Burlington, Ontario. SLou C ard 4'CT Direc A. Bailey Chair of the Bo .Piovesan tor of Education IVe befievette in helping. Anvone. Anvwhere. Please join us at our ~G~lSMNT6,~>O PE N HOMUSE January 21,y2004 7-Opm .-Co-educational School ,Kindergarten to Grade Eight JFu1 Day junior and. Senior Kindergarten Programs ,Also featuring a half day junior Prep. Program for 3 year old students.- School Features sLow student ratio -Advanced technology compter lab eComprehensive music program *Gymnastics, Swimming, Martial Arts @Before & kfter School Program eTransportation *March Break, Summer & Christmas Programs - orminfraio.al 0-6735 SIZE 16 TO SIZE 41 It is an ali-natural method. 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