A busy Burnaby seniors' centre is desperately seeking volunteer drivers for a popular bus trip program.
Bonsor Centre for 55+ takes seniors on lunch excursions and outings, but staff cancelled three trips last week, due to a driver shortage.
“This is the first time we’ve had to cancel that many trips in years,” said Don Doyle, a recreation programmer with Bonsor Centre 55+. “Right now, we are critically short of volunteer drivers.”
The centre usually has 10 volunteer drivers but is down to four.
Burnaby resident Caroline Werger is a bus-trip regular. She said the outings offer a chance for people to socialize.
“I really think the lunches are important for all of us,” she told the NOW. “Because it’s a social gathering, you get to know everybody, and it’s just enjoyable.”
There are an estimated 12 trips a month, usually to a lunch spot around the Lower Mainland, but sometimes for an outing as far as Victoria or Whistler.
The seniors who go on the trips are mostly women who don’t drive anymore. For some, the bus trips are the only socializing they do.
Bonsor Centre for 55+ is looking for volunteers who can commit to two trips a month. Drivers must have a class four licence and enough leadership skills to handle a group of roughly 20 seniors.
The trips costs about $5 to $10 for the seniors, and lunch is not included. However, the centre will reimburse the costs of meals for volunteer drivers, and any driver hosting an overnight trip involving a hotel stay will have his or her room paid for by the City of Burnaby.
George Kawaguchi, a board member with the Bonsor 55+ Society, said volunteer drivers get in-house training and liability is covered by the city.
“You’re well prepared before you go on your next trip,” he said.
If any issues arise on an outing, there’s a policy in place, with instructions on who to call and what to do, he explained.
Also, volunteer bus drivers can schedule the trips they want to do through an online calendar, so there’s some flexibility and choice.
If anyone is interested in volunteering as a driver, call 604-297-4580.
