N.B. seniors stalled as ride service runs low on volunteer drivers

Greta Doucet is one of more than a dozen seniors who need help getting to medical and dental appointments, but the 82-year-old Moncton woman is on a waiting list with Urban/Rural Rides.

The charity provides transportation at a minimal cost to more than 2,600 seniors and low-income individuals, but with an increasing demand for rides and a shortage of volunteer drivers, 17 seniors are now on a waitlist.

"I have had to take taxis and I find it extremely expensive because I have a very limited income," said Doucet.

"One of the reasons I let go of my car is because of ailments related to aging such as having vertigo and dizziness and other health issues."

Doucet said travel outside of medical appointments is also difficult, because she has to "walk a fair distance" to access public transit.

"Sometimes I rely on my family, but all of them work," she said.

Kelly Taylor, executive director of Urban/Rural Rides, says the shortage of drivers has forced the charity to turn away people who need help.

More than 1,500 people use the service in southeast New Brunswick alone, and the region only has about 50 volunteer drivers, said Taylor. 

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The Urban/Rural Rides program is stretched so thin seniors are being placed on a waitlist until new drivers sign up.

"There's a huge demand. We're actually having difficulty keeping up with that," she said. "It breaks everybody's heart to say no, but you can only do what you can do."

Taylor said out of 17 waitlisted seniors across New Brunswick, 14 are in the southeast region.

Louise Burley has been using Urban/Rural Rides for about three years. She is blind and has other medical conditions which require medical appointments every month.  

Burley said getting into the vehicle with a volunteer feels more comfortable than a taxi. 

"I could tell they cared ... they're compassionate," she said.

"My first visit, I felt supported. The anxiety left me and I felt empowered. By the end of the day I thought, 'Yay this is great,' and I've been using it since."

For Burley, medical appointments often bring stress. Without the service of Rural/Urban Rides she would face even more challenges.

"I would probably be more confined to my home ... and I'd be more stressed when the appointment arises," she said. 

Louise Tingley has been a driver with the charity for more than five years. She is one of the 162 volunteers.

Tingley said it feels rewarding at the end of the day and also helps form connections.

"I've met some really, really interesting people."

Tingley said she dedicates a couple of hours, three days a week and is happy the charity respects her availability.

She encouraged people to give volunteering for the charity a try, calling it a rewarding service.

"I see myself as I'm getting older ... I'm going to need services, too. So I'm hoping that the service is still available when I need it."