WAKA Eastern Bay Community Transport (WEB) has acquired another mobility vehicle, allowing drivers to take two wheelchairs at once and up to five additional passengers.

The service offers affordable transport to members of the Eastern Bay in Whakatāne to outer areas and out to Tauranga for specialist and hospital appointments.

Drivers assist those who cannot drive themselves to medical or social appointments on outings, shopping and sometimes take groups of people, such as Eastern Bay Village members, to various activities.

The vehicle received a blessing from cultural adviser Dr Pouroto Ngaropo at Iramoko Marae.

Waka Eastern Bay project manager Renee Lubbe said the trust was proud of how they had established themselves in the transport space to serve the community.

“We are very proud of how we have filled the transport gaps and increased availability and accessibility of transport for our ageing population,” she said.

WEB has also started transporting students to their programmes and, more recently, signed up with the Bay of Plenty Regional Council to offer transport to Total Mobility card holders.

The not-for-profit trust depends heavily on volunteer drivers and because of the demand for the service, has taken on a second permanent driver, Pip Norvell.

She started as a volunteer and has stepped up to join Shianna Kepa as a Total Mobility driver. Both drivers are passenger (P) endorsed licensed drivers, have completed the Total Mobility and First Aid unit standards, and will be driving the new full mobility van. To register as a passenger, see https://wakaeasternbay.org.nz and

Total Mobility card holders can ring to book rides with WEB on 027 4077526.