Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Smoky River Transportation is excited to announce it received a new bus and is accepting rental requests to use it for various community or private functions.
“We want people to know it’s there to use, it’s a community bus, not a seniors’ bus,” says Smoky River Family and Community Support Services director Crystal Tremblay.
“It is there for anyone to use, and it has multiple purposes,” she adds.
Tremblay says the bus is utilized by FCSS to take regular trips, but they do also rent the bus to anyone who requires one to transport large groups.
“If a wedding party would like to go take pictures and transport everyone together, they can rent our bus,” Tremblay says, giving an example of community use.
“If a business owner would like to take his or her staff out for an evening without worrying about getting them home safely, they can rent our bus.”
Tremblay says they are hoping to increase the use of their bus, to ensure they are able to retain it. More utilization means that expenses will be covered more easily, and the bus will have an increased purpose in the community.
“The more we use it the more we can ensure its sustainability,” she says.
“Currently, we use it for things like Ladies’ Nights to bring women to different events and youth trips to bring them on excursions they normally wouldn’t be able to go on.”
Funding for the new 18-passenger bus was received through Rural Transit Solutions fund through the federal government, covering 80 per cent of the total cost of the bus. They were then allowed to use a grant previously received through Healthy Aging Alberta to cover the remaining fees. Total cost of the bus was approximately $186,000.
“The bus helps to increase community interaction and gives people a way to see new things without having to use their own vehicles,” says Tremblay.
“Our rates also include our driver. Our insurance requires us to have our own drivers to ensure they are safe drivers and have proper insurance to run the bus.”
Fees for using the 18-passenger bus are $1.50 per kilometre and $23 per hour.
The five-seat van costs $1 per kilometre and $23 per hour. Rates include all time from leaving shop until returning to the shop.
“People should use it because it’s a safe way to have an event where you know alcohol may be consumed,” she says. “It’s a peace of mind to know that they will be safe and no one will be drinking and driving. Plus, our bus driver is amazing, he’s willing to turn up the music and let travellers have fun. It’s a stress-free experience for everybody.”
For more information about Smoky River Transportation rentals, please phone Aline at (780) 837-2220.