St. Albert city council has unanimously passed a motion introduced by Coun. Wes Broadhead to improve equitable access to mobility services.
Brodhead said he introduced the motion in part because of a St. Albert resident who reached out to him. He said the person was declined Handibus service because the configuration of her building doesn't allow easy access for the current vehicle.
"As a result, her disability prevents her from working," Brodhead said.
The legislation backgrounder said three clients were declined by the Handibus service in 2024, while 44 new clients were registered. According to administration, common constraints that could lead to service being declined are:
- Height restrictions because of overhangs;
- Insufficient space for ramp deployment for client(s) and/or driver to board and alight safely with mobility aid;
- Access (entrance and exit) of fleet to main doors of residence/commercial building;
- Insufficient layover parking to board and alight clients without affecting local area traffic;
- Patron using a mobility aid but residence does not have appropriate accessibility; and,
- Unsafe conditions for driver to assist and provide door-to-door service.
The legislation details say although there are alternative solutions to these issues, there are still residential and commercial locations that are not operationally suitable for a Handibus to provide service.
The motion will see administration develop a pilot program with a third-party contracted service. For Brodhead, the details of the new service will be an important factor going forward.
"You don't want to create a taxi service," he said. "You want to meet a disabled issue and meet the needs of citizens in our community."
The motion would see a business case presented to council by the third quarter of 2025. Coun. Sheena Hughes expressed some concerns over the timing of the motion, given it is currently Q3, and any subsequent followup information would likely be proposed for St. Albert council's final meeting before the municipal election on Sept. 16.
Brodhead said, given this is the motion administration recommended, if it is a problem, "it's one they brought onto themselves."
Administration said it will deliver the information before the end of Q3,
Coun. Natalie Joly supported the motion, and said the only thing she didn't like about it was how "slow moving it is."
"One of the biggest barriers to service is transportation for folks who are not able to drive," Joly said. "I'm really excited about seeing where this takes us because it's absolutely a gap in our system."
