Frontenac Transportation Service seeking drivers

Jeff Green | Aug 19, 2015

There is good news and bad news these days for Frontenac Transportation Services (FTS), which provides rides to medical and other appointments for residents of North, Central and South Frontenac from its base in Sharbot Lake.

The good news is that the agency, which is managed by Northern Frontenac Community Services (NFCS) and provides rides for clients of Southern Frontenac Community Services (SFCS) as well, has improved its reach all over the County (with the exception of Frontenac Islands) and has seen ridership increase throughout.

“Our ridership has increased everywhere, and one of the biggest increases has been in the area of medical rides for seniors in the former Storrington District of South Frontenac,” said Gail Young, the co-ordinator of FTS.

The bad news is that this has put a burden on its corps of volunteer drivers. “We need more drivers throughout the county, but the need is more pronounced in South Frontenac and it is acute in the Inverary area,” she said.

Young added that volunteer drivers all receive training when they sign on to FTS and they also receive compensation in the form of mileage to cover fuel costs.

“We are looking for people who are willing to donate the gift of time, and we don't want them to have to go out of pocket in order to volunteer,” said Young. “Anyone who is interested can give us a call and we can go over all the details. It can be a very rewarding way to volunteer because transportation is one of the most important factors for people who really want to remain living in their own communities as they age or face medical or other challenges. Many of our drivers have been with us for years and have developed strong bonds with our clients.”

The precursor to FTS, Rural Routes Transportation Services, was set up by Northern Frontenac Community Services to help residents from Verona north to access medical and social services. In 2009, with the promise of stable funding of $80,000 annually from Frontenac County to cover administrative costs, a memorandum of understanding was signed between Northern and Southern Frontenac Community Services (SFCS) in order to establish FTS. FTS now serves clients from both agencies and also provides rides for the Limestone District School Board, Ontario Disability Support Program, Ontario Works, Northern Connections, and Community Living (North Frontenac).

For further information or to volunteer, call 877-279-2044