Elder bus brings freedoms to Gjoa Haven seniors, say hamlet leaders

Recreation and wellness staff test the wheelchair lift on the new elder bus in Gjoa Haven ahead of its first ride, which took place Sept. 30 for the community’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event.(Photo by Jennifer Wakegijig)

Gjoa Haven has a new elder bus, a development deputy mayor Christine Porter says she is grateful for.

“Even if they’re in a wheelchair, they dance with the rest of us,” she said of the hamlet’s elders, who she said will be able to participate in more community events thanks to the bus.

“We enjoy watching our elders enjoy themselves when they go to events.”

The bus, equipped with a hydraulic lift and space for four wheelchairs and 12 seated passengers, arrived in the community on the August sealift.

Its first use was to transport elders to Gjoa Haven’s National Day for Truth and Reconciliation event on Sept. 30. 

Porter said the need for accessible transportation had been raised often by seniors on the local radio. 

“They want to join in, so they’re often asking for rides to special events, but they have a hard time going on a Honda or a Ski-doo,” she said.

“They’d rather ask for a vehicle to take them, and sometimes they’re not able to find rides like that.”

The service is part of a broader municipal priority. “Supporting Our Elders” is one of six key areas outlined in the hamlet’s strategic plan.

The vehicle cost $197,600 and was funded through the federal Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program via the Kitikmeot Inuit Association.

“We had to make sure the bus had licence plates, find a parking spot, get it insured, and so we just really pushed to have it available in time for [Sept. 30],” said Jennifer Wakegijig, chief administrative officer for Gjoa Haven.

The hamlet is still working to identify long-term operating funds and for now is relying on recreation and wellness staff to drive and co-ordinate trips.

“We’re training them on how to use all the features of the bus,” Wakegijig said. “It doesn’t actually require a special driver’s licence.”

She said staff are learning how to safely operate the lift and secure wheelchairs, and that rides will be co-ordinated around community events.

The bus has already proven accessible and effective, said Wakegijig.

“The bus has a wonderful lift. It doesn’t even shake when it hits the bottom or the top of its trajectory, so we can easily have either an elder stand on it, even if they’re in a walker, or we can roll their wheelchair onto it,” she said. 

Both Porter and Wakegijig hope to expand the bus service beyond event transportation. If the hamlet can get funding for a full-time driver, elders will be able to rely on it for errands, medical appointments or rides to the airport.

The hamlet plans to reach out to the territorial Department of Executive and Intergovernmental Affairs to explore possible operating funds, Wakegijig said.

Other funding streams may also be considered.

“I think it’s finally an opportunity to really treat our elders the way we would like to, with respect and inclusivity,” Wakegijig said.

“There are so many barriers to them really enjoying all the beautiful things that happen in our community.”