TALK chats transit options for seniors

Thu, Oct 3, 2019

Advice for seniors considering retiring from driving is available at two sessions being hosted by Third Age Learning at Kwantlen (TALK).

TALK, which offers creative and stimulating educational activities for adults over 50, has invited speakers from Coast Mountain Bus Company, First Transit, ICBC Road Safety, and Better Environmentally Sound Transportation to discuss options for navigating the Lower Mainland’s public transit options.

“Deciding to no longer drive is a big moment and takes a lot of courage, but it helps to know what other options you have for getting around,” says Jean Garnett, TALK Program Chair. “Our presenters will jointly present and assist with senior drivers’ transitioning, how to access public transit, HandyDART, community shuttles, volunteer ride programs and more. This course will also assist people who are still driving but wish to take transit to avoid traffic and parking worries.”

The talks are designed for those considering a plan to get around when they are no longer driving, or have stopped driving at night, in the rain or to unfamiliar places. There will be some take home materials available and the speakers will be able to answer questions about accessing information to transit options, using a Compass Card, and enhanced road assessment.

The presenters are:

  • Chris Chan, manager, Travel Training, Coast Mountain Bus Company
  • Karen Klein, ICBC road safety coordinator, Surrey
  • Linda McGowan, community liaison, First Transit, for HandyDART, TransLink
  • Janette McIntosh, seniors hub manager, Better Environmentally Sound Transportation

There are two sessions in this course, for a total fee of $20 (plus $10 annual TALK membership dues). The first is on Wednesday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. and the second is on Wednesday, Oct. 30, from 10 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. Each session will be held in Room 3010 of the Cedar building at Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s Surrey Campus (12666 72 Ave.)

To attend, please register by Wednesday, Oct. 16. For more information and to register, visit: www.kpu.ca/talk.

For more information, contact TALK at talk@kpu.ca.