Sylvan Lake has launched a new program to help seniors, or those with mobility challenges, to get around the community.

The goal is to introduce the Subsidized Taxi Card Program as early as April.

Communications Officer Joanne Gaudet explains how they will determine who qualifies for the program “based on the provincial seniors benefit income threshold for 2016/2017, individuals 65 years of age or older and/or adults with physical or mental challenges could be provided with the subsidized taxi card dispensed through our Family and Community Centre with a maximum subsidy of $120 a month per household”.

A Social Needs Assessment identified access to affordable transportation as a priority according to Gaudet “we did do a special transportation feasibility study and what kind of came out from that was the subsidized taxi card would probably be the best solution as opposed to maybe having the Town operate a special bus or something like that at this time”.

Successful applicants will be awarded a card worth 120 dollars a month, which would allow them to go anywhere within the towns boundaries, surrounding summer villages, the City of Red Deer and Gasoline Alley. 

This year's program would provide support for roughly 50 residents with a budget of $78,000.