By Chad Klassen

Shuttle service to provide essential transportation for tenants on Mission Flats Road

Nov 13, 2018 | 3:48 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s move-in day on Mission Flats Road, as 55 tenants transition from the streets to affordable housing. It’s exciting day for many who will have a bedroom to call their own after years in the cold.

“I’m pretty stoked about it, and I think everyone else is, too,” said one of the tenants Chris Turner as carried his bags of clothes and belongings inside . “I know a lot of people don’t know what it’s like to be out on the streets here without housing, especially in the winter time. It gets cold.”

Turner, who wound up on the streets after an opioid addiction that stemmed from a neck injury, has been spending the last few nights at the Emerald Centre waiting for opening day. 

“Pretty crazy the last couple days, but we just had to get through it knowing we were going to be going here soon,” he noted. 

The tenants were picked up around the city by this shuttle bus, including some right off the streets. Transportation was a concern for residents, some of whom don’t have the means to get downtown or elsewhere for appointments. The shuttle will provide twice-daily transportation from the housing units on Mission Flats to wherever tenants need to go. 

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“We’ll have people moving on the shuttle bus downtown over to the North Shore, basically trying to access medical services, access clinical program, and just being able to connect to the community,” said ASK Wellness executive director Bob Hughes. 

Cory Doyle from ASK Wellness has been tasked to drive tenants around on the shuttle bus, a role he feels is important in these people’s lives. 

“If you’re mobility-challenged or you’re a little older and stuff hurts a little bit, this is a long walk, especially in the winter,” said Doyle, who’s the employment coordinator at ASK. “So rather than isolate and not be able to see your friends and be stuck in this building, at least you get into town. You can do banking, you can make your appointments.”

While younger tenants like Chris may not need the services as often, he appreciates having the transportation option. 

“I know I could walk [downtown] no problem, but there are going to be a few older people that definitely wouldn’t be able to get into town without it I think more so than younger people like myself. I think it’s crucial,” said Turner. 

The shuttle will leave Mission Flats at 9 a.m. every morning, returning to Mission Flats at 10:30. The afternoon service leaves at 3 p.m., returning at 4:30.