The town council has approved the Stettler and District Handibus Society’s 2026 budget request, maintaining the municipality’s annual $25,000 contribution.
The decision came during the council’s Dec. 2 meeting & will be brought to the town’s interim operating budget discussions on Dec. 9.
The funding assists with staff time & daily operation of the Handibus, which is the only wheelchair-accessible public transit in the area.
The Town of Stettler has provided the society with $25,000 each year since 2018, along with additional support in 2025 to help replace the bus with a van lease.
Officials with the society noted they prefer to go with a lease model for their vehicles, as they have found selling the older buses to be difficult.
The service recorded 5,176 passengers in 2024, including 1,863 riders using wheelchairs or walkers and 1,532 trips for medical appointments.
Ridership for 2025 remains steady. As of the end of September, the Handibus logged 3,665 trips & travelled 14,075 kilometres.
Author: Landin Chambers
Landin Chambers is a news reporter for Hometown Media Stettler. He has a background in broadcast news, with previous roles in Prince George, Red Deer and Calgary. You may also see him as a cameraman for the Stettler Wildcats and Stettler Imperials. Have a story idea? Email: lchambers@htproductionsmedia.ca
