It'll come as good news to those who are being turned away because the buses are too full but an annoyance to others who maybe shouldn't be on the ParaTransit buses to begin with.

We brought you a story back in August, showing that ParaTransit services in Moose Jaw were being abused.  Some residents were using the buses more like a taxi services, but almost non-existent guidelines for who can ride the bus prevented city staff from doing anything about it.

Now, a new application form has been developed thanks to recommendations from the Special Needs Advisory Committee.

"Essentially what we had before was all self completed. We asked people to identify what their issues or infirmities were." explained Transit Manager Mark Sture. "It was limited information."

The new application will require details from a physician as to why the applicant cannot ride a regular bus.  Councillor Brian Swanson presented the report on behalf of the committee and acknowledged that this will be a tough task to determine who gets to ride the ParaTransit buses but for some residents, there is no alternative.  They either get to ride the bus or they have to stay in their home.

Another issue being investigated that's contributing to the full buses is the fact that some care homes do not provide transportation to their clients, forcing them to rely on ParaTransit services. While that's what the buses are there for, some homes are abusing it.  

During budget talks last spring it was revealed that some homes will fill a bus on a regular basis, preventing it from picking up other residents, almost turning it into a charter service. During Monday's council meeting, there was one unidentified home used as an example.

The transit department has been instructed to review the situation and create a list of regular riders to see if a pattern can be found. Councillors have questioned why the city is servicing these care homes when others are paying for their own transportation.

Another change that's coming to ParaTransit is for minors who use the service.  Riders under the age of 12 will now be required to have an attendant with them on the bus, who can ride for free.  There is a safety concern of having minors on the ParaTransit buses without someone to help them in the case of a medical emergency.