Resolutions

Whereas accessible and safe transportation is one of the six publicly identified priority areas of the Saskatchewan Disability Strategy; and

Whereas paratransit provides a critical link for passengers across the province, who may have physical or mental disabilities and/or use a wheelchair, that requires the service to get to work, school, appointments and a wide range of other daily activities; and

Whereas the Transit Assistance for People with Disabilities Funding (TAPD) program directly supports this priority by helping Saskatchewan municipalities provide safe, available, public paratransit service which is foundational to citizens experiencing disability; and

Whereas the Government of Saskatchewan's role under the TAPD program is to provide financial support to municipalities who offer paratransit services for persons with disabilities, and

Whereas municipalities that receive operating funding under the TAPD program may apply for capital funding for the purchase of a replacement vehicle for their paratransit service which is 75% of the cost of the vehicle to a maximum amount of $55,000. The municipality is responsible for covering the remaining cost; and

Whereas the cost of paratransit vehicles has increased substantially, and the current maximum of $55,000 equates to only 30% of a typical paratransit bus, leaving municipalities to take on the remaining 70%; and

Whereas the lack of appropriate funding for paratransit vehicles jeopardizes these vital transit services for those in need.

Therefore be it resolved that SUMA advocate the Government of Saskatchewan to increase the funding cap for paratransit vehicles to equal the actual 75% cost, and implement regulations that automatically index the cap to inflation.

Acts affected: None

Sectors/Regions affected: ALL