Re – Frontenac Transportation Services

Bob Webster | Jan 29, 2020

I concur with Ann Barlow’s expressed concerns regarding the future of transportation services as currently provided by SFCS and RFCS (“Senior Rues the Pending Loss of Transportation Services” January 23, 2020).

Mayor Vandewal apparently believes that the fact that the agencies do not collaborate on transportation services indicates some kind of lack of efficiency or effectiveness. Ann Barlow wasn’t complaining about the services, she was concerned about the ability of the services to continue now that the County has withdrawn future funding. 

For $96,000 the County was ensuring that all residents in need, particularly the elderly and those with limitations and disabilities, were receiving flexible, reliable and valued service. Withdrawing the funding cannot possibly be of help in continuing the service, and by extension it is unlikely that a lack of funding will in any way improve the quality of life for the individuals who rely on the service today.

And absolutely the worst idea would be for the County to take over the service. There is no chance that doing so would improve the service or the efficiency of its delivery. Again, no one is complaining about the service, they are complaining about the County’s discontinuation of funding.

The best outcome would be for the County to recommit to the funding and ask the agencies to continue to report statistics on their operations.

Bob Webster