Border City Connects Society has added a new bus to help people with disabilities get around the community.
The purchase was made possible thanks to a $75,000 Rotary Club of Lloydminster Legacy Grant.
“We’re very excited we were a recipient of the Rotary Legacy Fund,” said Mike Sidoryk, interim executive director for Border City Connects. “It helped provide us with a significant amount of funding to purchase this unit.”
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The new 2025 Crestline paratransit bus holds up to 14 people or two to four wheelchairs.
“This is a very important unit that helps support the individuals in this whole community,” said Sidoryk. “It helps them get to their needs and appointments.”
In total, the bus costs roughly $170,000.
“It’s a very specialized piece of equipment with wheelchair ramps and accessories,” he said.
Border City Connects now has four paratransit buses in its fleet.
The Rotary Club grant also paid for mental health training for staff.
Otis Rusling, president of Border City Connects, said Rotary’s help makes a big impact.
“This investment in our organization will have a lasting impact,” said Rusling. “It ensures individuals in our community, including those with disabilities, have access to the transportation they need.”
Border City Connects also thanked its other partners, the government of Saskatchewan and the Play it Forward charity hockey game, for coming through with money for the purchase.
The group also thanked RE/MAX of Lloydminster, its advertising sponsor.
Sidoryk said the new bus helps people visit friends, go to work or get to medical appointments.
“It helps support taking individuals with disabilities in the community for their appointments,” he said.
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