VANCOUVER, B.C.—The Bus Co-op, Canada's first transportation co-operative focused on serving the elderly, has been launched here by three Langley seniors' agencies with the support of Vancity Credit Union.
The Bus Co-op will serve seniors and other specialized groups who have a need for transportation in the community. The co-op currently has two buses that will make bus trips more cost effective for seniors and groups who have specific transportation needs, such as disabilities’ associations, churches and schools, according to its supporters.
Langley has a combination of low average income, low transit access and high concentration of older adults that makes it particularly vulnerable to seniors' transportation challenges, according to the United Way of the Lower Mainland Seniors Vulnerability Report.
The Bus Co-op, founded by Langley Seniors Resource Society, Langley Care Society and Magnolia Gardens, owns buses of different sizes and configurations and rents them to member agencies by the hour. Agencies buy a membership share and in return get access to buses that are maintained, insured and fueled by the co-operative. In addition to providing over $156,000 in grants and financing, Vancity has supported the development of the new co-op with leadership, advice and technical support.