With the abundance of snow and poor driving conditions the community has been dealt with this winter, it couldn’t have arrived at a better time.

The old 2012 minivan was traded in for a 2017 Dodge Ram Promaster. The new van cost $74,000 and with donations from the Boissevain Lions Club, Boissevain Legion, Doric Lodge, UCT and the Boissevain Morton Foundation, plus capital revenue earned over the past five years, the Handi-Transit service was able to acquire enough funds to pay for the replacement vehicle.

According to Boissevian Morton Hand-Transit Service Administrator Raylene Conway-Smith, the Handi-Van provided an average of 500 rides and deliveries per month. In 2016 over 6,000 rides were provided for the residents of Boissevain-Morton.

The new van can accommodate nine passengers (seven seats and two wheelchairs.) The van is available for rides Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm. Fare is only $4.50, or just $3.75 if purchased in books of five or ten rides (available at McPhail Travel/Rolling Spokes). If you require a ride contact driver Ken Dixon at 204-534-7799.

The Boissevain Morton Handi-Transit Service still has the large bus available for larger groups that can accommodate 15 passengers.

by LORRAINE HOUSTON, Editor