History

Alberta Transportation implemented the Public Transportation Operating Assistance Grant Program in 1979 as a means to help finance transportation services to the elderly and persons with disabilities in Alberta. The funding is allocated to the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo on a per capita basis.

The Specialized Transportation Program, otherwise known as "The Bus" first began in 1980 as part of Family & Community Support Services (F.C.S.S.). The program first operated with two retro fitted vans with wheelchair lifts, referred to as the bus. Today, there are three fully equipped vans, running on a daily basis. The program supports the Golden Years Society, a community group, with a $6,000 operating allowance per year to provide transportation to senior citizens for social events.

Policy on Transportation of Disabled Persons, Transport Canada, 1983

"A disabled person is any person who has a physical, mental or medical condition either permanent or temporary, that limits his/her ability to use public transportation service. This definition is broad enough to include among other, the elderly, the obese, pregnant women and those people with injuries".