Manitoba election: Seniors groups call for improved transportation options

A coalition ofManitoba seniors groups is urging provincial political parties to makeHandi-Transit and other transportation services more accessible and affordable for older people.

Seniors Vote 2016, which bills itself as "a coalition representing more than 30,000 older Manitobans," says transportation is a major barrier to seniors leading more active lives.

For example, it says the Handi-Transit service is too limited and seniors living on fixed incomes cannot afford taxis and other private options.

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The problem is even worse in rural communities,said Pam McConnell, co-ordinatorofTransportation Options Network for Seniors, who noted a great disparity for rural seniors who need to get around.

"If I have to go see a doctor and I'm in Parklands, you're looking at $600," she said. "So people just don't go, and that's alarming."

McConnell said a lack of transportation options often leads to social isolation for older people.

Meanwhile, she said, funding for Handi-Transit has not changed in almost three decades.The coalition is calling on the province to provide more funding to Handi-Transit programs in both urban and rural areas.

Seniors Vote 2016 includes members of the Manitoba Association of Seniors Centres, Transportation Options Network for Seniors, Retired Teachers Association of Manitoba, Active Living Coalition for Older Adults (Manitoba), the Canadian Association for Retired Persons (CARP) West Winnipeg and the Federation des Aines Franco-Manitobains Inc., as well as members of theGwen Secter Creative Living Centre.

Lionel Guerard, president of Transportation Options Network for Seniors, said it's often difficult for seniors to have their issues recognized, as he's discoveredwhen he meetspeople face-to-face.

"I talk about seniors and they say, 'Oh yeah, they [are]full of money. They don't need us. They can take care of their own,'" he said.

McConnell said the coalition is calling for a separate government ministry dedicated to seniors' issues. Currently, issues related to older Manitobans are handled by the Department of Healthy Living and Seniors.