Drive Happiness has announced a partnership with the Town of Hanna to provide low-cost assisted transportation to older adults who experience mobility challenges. This partnership is intended to alleviate the area’s existing gaps in transportation and help residents access community resources to enhance their quality of life.
Headquartered in Edmonton, Drive Happiness has operated its Seniors Assisted Transportation Program for over two decades. Eligible individuals must be 65+ and able to enter and exit vehicles with limited assistance. They must also complete an application form to access the service. Once accepted, riders can purchase $10 paperless tickets to exchange for rides or deliveries under 40km and 90 minutes (rides exceeding one or both of these limits cost multiple tickets). Rides must be booked by phoning Drive Happiness a minimum of 3 business days in advance, and rides are provided by screened and trained volunteer drivers who use their own vehicles. Volunteers enjoy flexible scheduling, a tax-free fuel reimbursement, and the opportunity to help others in their community.
In order to kickstart this program volunteer drivers are urgently needed. You can choose when and where you drive and receive a fuel reimbursement.
It’s critical to have an inventory of drivers in order to offer a successful program. Please consider becoming a driver.
– Michele Toews, Community Services Coordinator
As it expands to new communities across the province, Drive Happiness continues to oversee volunteer management, training, and ride scheduling, while local partners assume responsibility for volunteer recruitment and program promotion. By collaborating with the Town of Hanna, Drive Happiness aims to promote seniors’ independence and reduce the harmful effects of social isolation within the municipality. It offers an affordable transportation solution that will help the residents of Hanna get to important destinations such as medical clinics, grocery stores, pharmacies, recreation facilities, and loved ones’ homes.
More information about the Seniors Assisted Transporation Program can be found at drivehappiness.ca. Rider and volunteer application forms are available online, at the Town of Hanna Office, and by mail at request.
