The Fort Macleod Handibus Society is approaching its 40th anniversary of providing transportation to seniors and people with physical challenges.
Fort Macleod Handibus Society needs an influx of volunteers if it going to continue to provide affordable transportation for seniors and others.
Society president Bruce Robertson told Fort Macleod council last week new members are needed or the handibus society’s future is not clear.
“Several of the board members have expressed a desire to step aside,” Robertson said. “Some have been board members for many years. Most of our board members are over 70 years of age.”
Robertson, who with other society members appeared as a delegation at council’s April 27 meeting, said attempts to recruit new members have brought in just one new person.
Unless more people come forward, the society cannot continue to operate.
“Without an active board, the society will be unable to maintain its status as a not-for-profit organization,” Robertson said.
That not-for-profit society status allows the group to issue tax recepts for donations, apply for grants and to raise money by working at casinos.
“I realize town council cannot solve this problem,” but I would hope through more exposure to the issue that we can attract some younger board members to keep the handibus operation functional,” Robertson said.
The Fort Macleod Handibus Society is approaching its 40th anniversary of providing transportation to seniors and people with physical challenges.
The handibus made 2,498 trips in 2025, with 695 of those trips taken by people using wheelchairs.
People book the handibus to attend school, work and medical, dental and business appointments.
They also use the handibus to go shopping and for leisure and recreational outings.
Robertson said the society has over the years established partnerships with Pioneer Lodge, Extendicare, the Welcome Mat, the dialysis unit at Fort Macleod Health Centre, Alberta Health Services, and Livingstone Range School Division.
Funding comes from the Town of Fort Macleod, MD of Willow Creek, Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta, the province, Family and Community Support Services as well as donations from individuals and groups.
“Through careful financial management in partnership with the above support we have managed to keep the handibus on the road benefitting the Fort Macleod community for almost 40 years,” Robertson said.
The handibus society employs one full-time driver, one part-time driver, a casual driver and a part-time bookkeeper.
The handibus’s hours of service are 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.
The present vehicle is a 2022 Dodge Promaster with a capacity of seven passengers, or five passengers and one wheelchair.
At present, the board is made up of the president, treasurer, secretary and three directors.
Coun. Jim Monteith asked Robertson if it would benefit the society to have a council member on the board of directors.
“I think it would be very beneficial,” Robertson said.
Coun. Shawn Patience asked if the need for board members could be promoted through Town of Fort Macleod’s newsletter.
Chief administrative officer Anthony Burdett said that would be possible.
“We do appreciate what the handibus does in the community,” Mayor Brent Feyter said.
The handibus society will hold its annual general meeting on Wednesday, May 20 at 7 p.m. at Pioneer Lodge.
“We really appreciate the support we’ve had from the community for the last 39 years,” handibus society board member Bob Ripley said. “Hopefully with proper management somebody can keep it going.”
