The Prince Edward District Women’s Institute’s financial support for accessible transit in The County has reached the $149,000 mark with its latest donation.
The community group presented County Council with a cheque for $3,000 at the meeting on December 14. Over 40 years ago, the Women’s Institute began the journey toward improving access to public transportation for residents over the age of 65 and persons with a physical disability.
“The Prince Edward District Women’s Institute takes great pleasure in presenting $3000 to Council as our continued support for accessible transportation,” says Kim de Bruin, Chair, Prince Edward District Women’s Institute. “We are pleased that we are able to make this donation despite the pandemic. We were not able to hold our Arts and Craft sale for two years, which is our main fundraiser event; however, this past summer we were able to host another successful sale. We would like to thank all the vendors, customers and volunteers as well as all our Women’s Institute members for their continued support and making it possible to make this presentation.”
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 with more than 1,000 users. There are six buses providing door-to-door service daily four days a week.
“The Prince Edward District Women’s Institute has worked tirelessly for over 40 years to provide accessible transit in our community through their fundraising efforts,” says Steve Ferguson, Mayor, County of Prince Edward. “The COVID-19 pandemic caused challenges for us all, yet this group persevered and succeeded in continuing to support this vital service. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Women’s Institute members for their ongoing financial support for accessible transit in Prince Edward County now and in the years to come.”
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.
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For media inquiries, please contact Mark Kerr, Communications and Consultation Supervisor, at 613.476.2148 ext. 1009 or by email at mkerr@pecounty.on.ca.