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Frequently Asked Questions |
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What is Sunshine Coach and who can use the service? |
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Sunshine Coach Service is a company operated under the umbrella of a charitable
organization charted as Friends of the Disabled (Renfrew) Inc. We provide
transportation for people living with disabilities which render the boarding of conventional
forms of public transportation difficult. Our service area includes the Town
of Renfrew as well as the five surrounding Townships of Admaston / Bromley, Bonnechere
Valley, Greater Madawaska, Horton and Whitewater Region. |
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How do I become a client of Sunshine Coach? |
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The services provided by Sunshine Coach are available to any person living within
our service area regardless of age. The only requirement is that our clients
have a physical disability that requires the use of our specialized transportation
options. In general, you will find an application form on this website on
the Our Services Menu and by clicking the Booking Trips link. Alternatively,
you may contact our offices Monday to Friday during the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 4:00
p.m. and our staff will send you an application form by the most
convenient means.
In either case, the form has a section to be completed by you as well as a section
to be completed by your General Practitioner. Once a duly completed form has
been received at our office you will have attained client status and may begin booking
trips. In addition, most Health Care and Long-Term Health Care facilities
within our region may arrange trips on your behalf. |
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How much do trips aboard Sunshine Coach cost? |
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Trips that have their point of origin and their destination falling within the boundaries
of the Town of Renfrew are conducted at a flat fare fee which is currently set at
$5.00. Trips that have a point of origin and a destination that falls within
our coverage area for the most part have a pre-calculated trip cost.
Other trips having a point of origin that falls within our coverage area and
a destination anywhere beyond will have an individual price calculated on a quotation
basis taking into account factors such as distance and duration. In addition,
a waiting fee which is currently set at $30.00 per hour will be assessed in cases
where our Driver must wait before beginning your return trip. Our Operations
Department will ensure that the most efficient pricing options are applied in your
particular case to maximize the value you receive. Should you
require any further information concerning fares, please feel free to contact our
office during regular business hours or send us an e-mail message. |
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How is Sunshine Coach different from regular public transportation? |
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Sunshine Coach Service maintains a fleet of vehicles that are specially equipped
for the transportation of people with special needs. Our vehicles are all
equipped with ramps and have been modified to provide tie-downs for the safe and
comfortable transportation of people in wheelchairs. We are here to respond
to the special needs of our clients and are dedicated to fulfilling that mission.
We do not provide transportation for the general public and do not operate any vehicles
that can be classsified as being within the realm of generalized transportation. |
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If I need the assistance of an attendant what fare will they be expected to
pay? |
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Since our mandate is to provide transportation from accessible street level door
to accessible street level door, it is your responsibility to ensure that you arrange
whatever assistance you require either at your departure point or at your destination.
Your attendant will not be charged a fare for any trip on which they accompany and
assist you. Our Drivers are courteous and experienced in assisting you to board
and egress from our vehicles, as well as the proper methods of securing your wheelchair
within our various coaches. |
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How is the service that Sunshine Coach provides funded? |
The funding required to keep the Sunshine Coach on the road is derived from many
sources:
- fares charged to users of our service make up the bulk of our revenues but these
fall significantly short of the cost of providing the service. Charging fares
that would fully cover the actual cost of providing our service would almost certainly
place it beyond the reach of the vast majority of our clientelle. As a result
subsidies are required from various funding sources as described below to make up
the shortfall.
- the Ontario Ministry of Transportation administers the Gas Tax Rebate for Specialized
Transportation Programme which provides funds aimed at subsidizing para transit
in many municpalities and regions within the province. These funds are administered
by the Town of Renfrew and are significant in assisting to defray Operating Expenses
as well qualified Capital Costs.
- The Town of Renfrew as well as the five surrounding Townships provide grants in
support of our mandate to provide transportation for members of our community who
have special needs.
- the general public makes donations which are applied directly to the operation of
Sunshine Coach through our Charitable Foundation - Friends of the Disabled (Renfrew)
Inc. Charitable Donation Receipts are issued for Income Tax purposes according
to the provisions of the Canadian Revenue Agency. The primary fund raising
event is the annual Reach For The Rainbow Telethon which is held in late October.
Proceeds from this telethon which are generated through the efforts of numerous volunteers
go directly to funding the services provided by Sunshine Coach.
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How can I make a donation in support of Sunshine Coach? |
The current state of the economy has placed many pressures on individuals and businesses
alike. Sunshine Coach is experiencing the same pressures as everyone else
and the challenge to maintain our traditional levels of service for our special
needs clients is great. Consequently, we are always extremely grateful for
the support of everyone who wishes to make a financial contribution. There
are many ways in which you may make a donation:
- there are many locations on our website featuring links that you can click in order
to make an immediate donation using major credit cards. We have a partnership
with CanadaHelps.org who provide secure online processing of donations and also
issue an immediate Canada Revenue Agency tax receipts via e-mail directly to you.
Once you have clicked on one of the Donate Now links on our web site
you will be directed to canadahelps.org to complete your donation processing.
You can designate the donation in memory of a loved one, direct your donation to
our current Telethon or attach any other comment
you wish concerning how you would like us to apply your donation.
- donations can be made by contacting or visitng our offices druing regular business
hours to make arrangements.
- our annual Reach For The Rainbow Telethon carried live on TVCogeco Channel 22
Community Televison offers the opportunity for you to call our special day-of pledge
line at 613-432-7299 to have our volunteer telephone oeprators receive your pledge
during the telecast.
- in all cases in which a donation of $10.00 or more is made, you will receive an
income tax receipt issued by Friends of the Disabled (Renfrew) Inc.
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