Although its future was in question, the Jasper Seniors Bus continues to make its weekly rounds thanks to upwards of $20,000 in donations over the past 12 months.
It got its latest cash injection last week when Santina Cross and the cast of her debut play—The Seniors Monologues—presented the Jasper Seniors Society with $1,375. The funds were raised from the play's ticket sales on National Seniors Day, Oct. 1.
Cross' play is based on interviews she conducted with various seniors over the past two years, so she felt it only fitting that the funds go back to the people who made it possible.
“Many seniors rely on the bus to get out and socialize with other folks in the community besides just their peers. That is what The Senior Monologues is all about: encouraging and promoting interactions and relationships with our seniors.
“It is easier for seniors to be heard and feel a part of the community when they can actively participate in it,” she said.
It costs about $18,000 to keep the bus rolling each year and with the loss of grants, the seniors society has struggled to raise those funds each year.
In November 2014, the society announced that its reserve funds—which have kept the bus on the road for the past few years—were running low.
In its plea, the society asked that the community pitch in, either by offering donations or by taking over the operation of the bus all together, and shortly after, cheques started rolling in.
“We do appreciate every donation to the bus fund,” said Glenda Cornforth, president of the seniors society. “It allows the wheels on the bus to continue to roll.”
The seniors bus has been operating in Jasper since 1994, bringing seniors to town to run errands or visit the doctor each Friday and travelling to Hinton once a month for medical appointments.
Prior to 2010, it received provincial funding for its operational costs. But the funding was cut so the municipality stepped in, covering the cost to ensure the service would continue that year.
Then in 2011, the seniors society received a one-time provincial grant for another year of operation. Since then, it has been on the society’s shoulders to come up with the funds to provide Jasper’s seniors with safe transportation to and from town.
“We hope to keep it going for the life of the bus, at least,” said Cornforth, adding there's no telling how long that will be.
The bus was purchased in 2002, after a substantial fundraising effort by the seniors. Each year it sees about 500 users, whether it’s just for a trip to town or to Hinton for a medical appointment.
It's also used by the Alpine Summit Seniors Lodge for group outings, like picnics and afternoon tea at Marmot Basin.
Seniors interested in catching the bus are encouraged to call 780-852-3447 and anyone interested in donating to the bus fund is invited to call Cornforth at 780-852-4578.
Nicole Veerman
[email protected]
