If you currently drive, are you looking for information and resources to ensure you continue to drive safely as your abilities change?
Are you interested in finding out more about transportation options that are available in Regina, how to access them, and what you can expect from each service?
Transportation plays a large role in almost everyone’s lives. The information provided can help you feel more comfortable knowing you are making the best choice for you.
As we get older – usually beginning around the age of 50 – changes in vision, reflexes, hearing, and sometimes memory begin to affect our ability to drive safely. There are often noticeable changes that begin at 60 years of age.
If you are honest with yourself, know and respect your limits, and take steps to address the impacts these changes are having, you are more likely to keep your driving skills than people who don’t. The first step is adjusting your driving habits. Examples may include:
Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) has created this guide to help you assess how you drive and offer suggestions for how can make your driving safer. You can find the guide here:
sgi.sk.ca/documents/37418/138037/older_wiser.pdf
The Saskatchewan Safety Council offers a FREE, 6 hour course that is focused on increasing confidence when driving. It also ideas for how you can adapt your habits to increase your driving safety. There are no tests and your license will not be impacted in any way. To find out about the topics that are covered and to look on the calendar for upcoming courses, visit
sasksafety.org/mature-driver-refresher-course.html. You can also call for more information: (306) 757-3197.
If you know someone who is driving and you are concerned about their ability to drive safely,
call 1-844-TLK-2SGI (1-844-855-2744).
If you have dementia or are a family member or friend caring for someone who has dementia,
drivinganddementia.ca serves as a guide and information source specifically around driving. It offers a lot of information including:
The City of Regina has two options for public transit: Conventional buses and Paratransit
The fares and passes are the same for conventional buses and Paratransit services. Current rates can be found at regina.ca/transportation-roads-parking/transit/fares-passes/
Operators will collect your fare when you board the bus. If you are paying the fare in cash, keep in mind that they do not take bills and cannot give change, so take exact fare in coins. You can buy tickets for individual rides, or packs of 10 or 20 rides – the cost per ride decreases if you buy a pass with multiple rides.
Tickets or passes can be purchased at:
Monthly (31 days), semi-annual (6 month), and annual (12 month) passes are available for purchase. Depending on how often you use the bus, this can offer huge savings. If you are over 65 years of age, individual rides and bulk tickets cost the same as adult prices.
However, monthly, semi-annual and annual passes offer significantly lower prices for unlimited rides.
The R-Card is a reloadable smart card that can be loaded with rides or a pass. Visit any transit agent to purchase an R-Card.
Note:
More information about R-Cards, how to register them, and what to do if you need your card replaced can found at the link that is given above right under “Fares and Passes”
The City of Regina offers 20% off transit passes for those who meet the eligibility criteria and apply through the “Affordable Access Program”. Those eligible must purchase their pass from the Transit Information Centre (2124 11th Avenue). Find more information and the application form at:
regina.ca/parks-recreation-culture/classes-programs/affordable-access-program
Note: If you require an attendant to travel with and assist you, they travel for free on conventional buses and Paratransit.
The conventional buses are all low floor buses, meaning that when they stop at a curb, they can lower the floor, making it easier for the person to get on if they have difficulty walking, use a mobility device like a cane, walker, wheelchair or scooter (with some size limitations), or are pushing a cart or stroller.
There are accessible heated bus shelters on 11th Avenue. They are large enough to accommodate a person using a mobility device. A light in the shelter comes on automatically when it becomes dark outside and they also have heaters you can activate by pushing a button.
The maximum size for a mobility device on a conventional bus is 34” wide by 51” long.
You must be able to make a tight turn from the low floor ramp into the bus.
You can also use the Night Stop program, which allows you to get off the bus between regular stops on your route so you don’t have to walk as far to your destination. Just let your driver know that you would like to get off at a different location at least one stop before your regular stop and stay near the front of the bus until the driver is able to find a safe place to stop.
You can plan your route a number of ways:
Online:
By phone: A transit staff person is available to assist with schedules and route information at
🕿 (306) 777-7433 from Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Paper copies: available at the Transit Information Centre – 2124 11th Avenue Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. or call and they can send you the route you request by mail between 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Quick tip
If you have a cell phone, are waiting at a bus stop, and are not sure when your bus will arrive: text (306) 596-6136 and put the bus stop number in the message (the number is at the top right of the bus stop sign). You will get a reply telling you when the next bus should arrive at your stop.
Like conventional buses, Regina Paratransit is a shared ride service, meaning that there is likely to be more than just you in the vehicle. Paratransit is an option for people who are experiencing a disability and are not able to use the conventional, fixed route transit at least some of the time. The service is a scheduled door-to-door service.
Note: If you are booking Paratransit and want to go to more than one place, you must book separate trips and pay separate fares.
To qualify for Paratransit, someone must be: Restricted in their ability to:
There are different types of registrations, depending on your circumstances:
You can find more information about Paratransit, including the link to the registration form at regina.ca/transportation-roads-parking/transit/paratransit/
Once you submit your registration form, staff will review your eligibility and speak with the professionals you list in the application. You may be asked to attend an in-person interview. Most registrations are approved within two weeks. You can submit your registration forms:
In-person: Regina Paratransit Services – 333 Winnipeg Street Regina Mail: Regina Paratransit Services
PO Box 1790
Regina, SK S4P 3C8 Fax: 306-949-7211
email: Paratransit@regina.ca
Rates: Rates for Paratransit are the same as the rates for conventional buses. Please see the beginning of this section for more information.
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(306) 522-4477
website: where2transportation.ca
email: where2transportation@sasktel.net
Where 2 Transportation is available for individual rides 24/7. They have wheelchair accessible buses similar to Paratransit buses and can provide a wheelchair if requested. Where 2 Transportation offers door to door service and will assist people into their homes. You may bring a companion or attendant at no extra cost.
Note:
Available 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Can supply wheelchairs to assist with transportation and will assist people into their home.
There are numerous taxi companies operating in the city. Some also offer wheelchair accessible vehicles, but not all:
Provides conventional transportation (cars and vans, but not wheelchair accessible). Request assistance if needed when you book. Drivers cannot perform transfers. If a wheelchair is needed, the individual is responsible to have one available. Available 24/7.
Provides wheelchair accessible and conventional transportation (cars and vans). Drivers provide door to door service but please request it when you book. They have wheelchairs they can provide if needed, please let them know when booking that you require one.
Provides wheelchair accessible and conventional transportation (cars and vans). Must have own wheelchair if needed. If you would like staff to meet you at the door and help you into the building at your destination, please request assistance when booking. Available 24/7.
(306) 541-3748, (306) 541-7433
website: drivenwithcare.com
email: info@drivenwithcare.com
The goal of Driven with Care is to help people remain independent and to be there for individuals when family members are not available. Driven with Care has SUVs as well as wheelchair-accessible vans for those who need assistance.
Staff meet you at your door and will assist you to get where you need to go and can provide more support as needed.
It can “just” be the ride. Staff can accompany you to the office where your appointment is and can wait for you or with you if you wish. They can go into appointments and take notes to share with family members or others about the appointment. They can help you with your grocery shopping whether it’s curbside pick-up or walking through the store to pick items out yourself. They can help fill out paperwork if you are being discharged from the hospital.
Please check the website for hours of operation and a live chat option under ‘Contact Us’ or call for more information.
Every member of Driven with Care is required to have the following:
(306) 533-3388
Regina Senior Shuttle can be booked for rides to attend appointments, programs, social events, or shopping, with optional assistance when grocery shopping. Staff are also able to help you take your pet to the veterinary clinic. Door to door service. For rates, hours of operation, and availability, call or check out their website
(306) 525-2154
website: reginaseniorcitizenscentre.ca/home-help
The Independence Club has volunteer drivers who provide assisted transportation to appointments, shopping, and other activities for individuals who are 55 years of age and older. They require 72 hours notice to arrange for a driver. Since it does rely on volunteers, there may be times when no drivers will be available but you will know if that’s the case within a day of the request.
There is a roundtrip charge that is slightly reduced if you are a member of the Regina Seniors Citizens Centre. Annual membership fees are $35.00 (subject to change).
Memberships are available to those 55+ years of age and offer some perks and discounted rates. Non-members are welcome to participate in all programs and activities but fees are a bit more.
Find more information and current rates at the website listed above; make sure to click on their brochure for detailed information. You can also call and ask for the Home Help Services Coordinator.
(306) 789-7787
website: spts.ca
email: info@spts.ca
Saskatchewan Patient Transfer Services (SPTS) offers reliable transportation for medically stable individuals who require professional assistance but do not require any medical interventions. The individual may have full physical mobility, use a wheelchair or other mobility aid, or require the use of a stretcher to be transported to their destination.
SPTS works quite closely with the Saskatchewan Health Authority, hospitals, health centres, care homes, and other health providers to offer bedside to bedside stretcher transfers.
Community members can also book on their own trips to safely get to scheduled medical appointments, move between facilities, go home after being discharged from the hospital, or to attend personal events like weddings, funerals, and other family functions or events that are important to them.
The service includes two staff for the duration of trip – one driver and one person who stays in the back with the individual. The cost for SPTS is roughly half the cost of using an ambulance.
Go to their website or call to find out more about your specific request. Booking can also be done online at spts.ca/bookings.
References:
1. sgi.sk.ca/agin
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Age-Friendly Regina wishes to acknowledge that we live, work, and play on Treaty 4 Territory. These are the traditional lands of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dakota, Nakota, Lakota, and the homeland of the Métis Nation.
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