The Prince Edward District Women’s Institute’s financial support for accessible transit in The County has reached the $152,396.63 mark with its latest donation.
The community group presented County Council with a cheque for $3,000 at the meeting on November 28. For the past 34 years, the Women’s Institute has worked to improve access to public transportation for residents over the age of 55 and persons with a disability.
“Once again, I am thrilled to be able to present Prince Edward County with a cheque for $3,000 towards accessible transportation,” says Kim de Bruin, President of Prince Edward District Women’s Institute. “This year we celebrated the fortieth anniversary of the Prince Edward District Women’s Institute Art and Craft Sale. What an achievement for our members here in the County. This dedicated group of women works hard and tirelessly to make the lives of community members better, and for that I would like to thank them all.”
The Women’s Institute is recognized as a leader in advancing accessible transit in Prince Edward County. The organization began studying the issue in 1989. The group realized its goal in 2007 when a specialized transit service offered through Quinte Access hit the road. Ridership has grown steadily throughout the years and this service has become an important amenity in Prince Edward County.
“I want to recognize the Prince Edward District Women’s Institute for their dedication to the community over the past forty years, and how their idea and initiation of accessible transportation for Prince Edward County has grown and is well utilized by the residents of Prince Edward County,” says Steve Ferguson, Mayor, County of Prince Edward. “It is a valuable service to our community and enables residents to be independent, get out with friends, get to appointments and have an active lifestyle.”
Currently, the service – which is made possible financially by the Women’s Institute, the municipality, user fees, and Ontario’s gas tax program – provides nearly 10,000 trips each year.
To read more history about the journey, visit the Women’s Institute website. To receive more information and to apply for accessible transit, visit the County’s website.