An absence of transport and the loss of many local offices for government services, has created multiple problems for people in the Barossa Valley District of South Australia.
It was up to local Councils, Barossa and Kapunda and Light, together with community organisations, to address some of the difficulties. This led to the development of the Barossa Regional Community Transport Scheme.
Barossa’s Transport Coordinator, Elly Milne, said the scheme began because many programs to assist local people could not be accessed due to lack of transport.
Since its inception five years ago, and with the help of the Passenger Transport Funding Scheme, the service has been invaluable in providing transport for frail aged, young disabled and their carers, and other disadvantaged groups.
After an initial pilot, the Scheme has now gained additional Federal and State funding to finance it through to 2001.
Elly said the service makes a big difference to people’s lives giving them access to medical services and also improving their quality of life.
“We have had a 63 percent growth rate in demand in the last 12 months,” she said.
“While there is a bus that runs to Adelaide, the infrequency of the service makes the 200 kilometre round trip an all day exercise which can be very tiring.”
“We run door to door bus services enabling people to access day care centres, go shopping, visit friends and relatives, go to the hairdresser or make the trip to Adelaide for medical or other services when necessary.”
The Scheme is very dependent on 65 volunteer drivers. It uses four leased vehicles and buses brokered from local nursing homes, hospitals and other sources.
Community Groups have also raised money for a special station wagon which is wheelchair accessible.
Since its inception five other Community Transport Schemes are now operating in South Australia, with more being set up all the time.
For further information contact Elly Milne, telephone (08) 8564 2042.
