British Columbia's Travel Assistance Program expands to cover seven new ferry routes operated by independent ferry companies, providing free travel for non-emergency medical appointments for residents in rural, remote, and First Nations communities.
More people living in rural, remote and First Nations communities will benefit from free ferry service when travelling for non-emergency medical appointments, thanks to an expansion to British Columbia's Travel Assistance Program . Seven additional ferry routes are being added to the program, which supports patients with the cost of ground, air or ferry travel to access non-emergency medical specialist services not available in their own community.
In 2023, almost 100,000 trips were covered by the Travel Assistance Program. Health minister Josie Osborne, in a return to her home riding of Mid Island-Pacific Rim, made the announcement on Thursday, Dec. 19 at Lady Rose Marine Services in Port Alberni. Lady Rose offers passenger and freight service for the remote communities of Bamfield, Kildonan and Haggard’s Cove. 'Until today, the Travel Assistance Program covered BC Ferries routes,' Osborne explained.'But today we're expanding the program farther to help more people have access to the care that they need by adding seven new ferry routes that are serviced by independent ferry operators, like right here at Lady Rose Marine Services.' The expansion includes round trip travel on the following independently operated ferry routes: Tahsis and Kyuquot to Gold River, Dodge Cove to Prince Rupert, Lasqueti Island to French Creek, Bamfield, Kildonan and Haggard’s Cove to Port Alberni, Ahousaht and Hot Springs Cove to Tofino, Metlakatla, Oona River, Kitkatla and Hartley Bay to Prince Rupert and Tuck Inlet to Prince Rupert, Aero Point (Lax Kw’alaams Ferry). Debra Toporowski, the Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health, says that this expansion will benefit 22 different First Nations. 'The more we can do to reduce financial burdens the better,' she said.'This is going to help people get the care they need without worrying about cost
Travel Assistance Program Ferry Service Rural Health First Nations Medical Travel
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