A new special needs transportation service is open for business.
AV Shuttle has been in business in Saskatoon since 1994. It’s run by Kelly Rapko, who was born and raised in Prince Albert. The company recently expanded its operations to Prince Albert. So far, it’s been well received.
“We week to compliment organizations such as the community special needs transportation company and Prince Albert transit,” Rapko explained.
“What makes us different from them is we book same day, and it’s a more direct service from point A to Point B. We came into Prince Albert to offer another option for people who plan their day or plan their week a little differently than what services can provide right now.”
AV Shuttle has a variety of clients, however several are organizations. In Saskatoon, clients include the public school division, the Ministry of Social Services, the health regions, insurance companies, law offices and care homes. Individual clients also make use of the service.
“We transport clients … whether that be for medical appointments, social gathering, pretty much anywhere,” Rapko said.
“We’ve had a lot of requests for our service (in Prince Albert) because there isn’t an option for someone to take a wheelchair taxi. We provide generally the same service, except what differs us from a taxi is a door-to-door service. If you call us, we’ll go up to the hospital, go up to their floor and take the client down into the van. We’ll bring them to their destination and then bring them right to where they’re going inside the building.”
So far, AV Shuttle only has one vehicle operating in Prince Albert. Rapko would like to be busy enough to add a few more.
‘We already have regular trips going,” Rapko said. “We have some dialysis trips going from places in Prince Albert to the hospital. We also do out of town trips. The other day we took a client to an appointment in Melfort.”
Those who do book a trip with AV Shuttle will be greeted by Angela Sherriff. She’s the local driver, and so far, she’s loving the experience.
For more on this story, please see the September 6 print or e-edition of the Daily Herald
