Welland – Jeff Burch, MPP for Niagara Centre says he wonders why Niagara Region Specialized Transit Services is being cut when the demand is greater than ever.
According to a report to the Niagara Region Public Works Committee today, the $2 million allocated for yearly service to cover 26,000 trips is now $400,00 over budget. As a result, constituents who have called Burch’s office say they’ve been told that trips are being reduced by the BTS Group, a private contractor hired by the region.
Marlene Goodfield, 73, a retired Registered Nurse’s Assistant from Thorold, is recovering from a stroke and needs physiotherapy to regain the ability to walk. She was informed yesterday that her trip for today’s physiotherapy appointment was cancelled.
Another elderly woman from Welland was told not to count on rides to her dialysis appointments after this week.
Burch questions why these seniors are being left high and dry without warning. “this didn’t just develop overnight.”
“This is a crisis and Niagara Regional Council needs to put patients first,” Burch said.