
Emergency Transit Assistance Program
Providing people in need with access to free bus transportation through the provision of transit vouchers.
Available Cities
Abbotsford
United Way BC, in partnership with the City of Abbotsford, have been providing single-use bus tickets through the Emergency Assistance Transportation Program since March 2005.
United Way distributes the tickets on a regular basis* to non-profit agencies who regularly support those with medical and/or emergency transportation. ETAP supports low-income residents of the Fraser Valley by removing transportation barriers to essential services and opportunities. This program has enhanced these residents’ access to the labour market, secure housing, and access to vital food and health services.
*May change to quarterly basis in the future
Applications coming soon!
Cowichan
Program coming in 2025!
Kamloops
Through a shared interest in accessibility and inclusion for all members of community, the City of Kamloops and United Way British Columbia embarked on the Emergency Transportation Initiative in 2006, with the intention of providing single-use bus tickets to non-profit agencies who regularly support folx with medical and/or emergency transportation. As a neutral third party embedded in community, United Way BC receives the tickets from City of Kamloops twice a year (usually January and June), and then distributes them outwards to the charities, according to the needs and priorities identified by the partner agencies.
Agency Applications
Agencies may apply to be part of the following year’s program (January 1 – December 31) each November through a call for applications. United Way BC reviews the applications through December and provides notifications of program acceptance or denial out to applicants by December 24th, allowing for the program to begin in January.
Applying agencies must:
- Be a non-profit organization.
- Run programs or services focused on socio-economic needs in the community.
- Serve one or more vulnerable populations.
Applying agencies must not:
- Be a for-profit organization.
- Run programs or services solely for political or religious purposes.
The transit vouchers are to be picked up by participating agencies in January and July of each program year.
Deadline for applications is December 13, 2024.
Kelowna
United Way has run the Emergency Transit Assistance Program in collaboration with the City of Kelowna since 2012.
In the fall of 2024, United Way BC and the City of Kelowna began a pilot program for monthly transit passes, with the disbursement of 100 monthly passes. This pilot program is much needed for individuals with a more demanding or regular need for transit.
Agency Applications
Agencies may apply to be part of the following year’s program (January 1 – December 31) each November through a call for applications. United Way BC reviews the applications through December and provides notifications of program acceptance or denial out to applicants by December 24th, allowing for the program to begin in January.
Applying agencies must:
- Be a non-profit organization.
- Run programs or services focused on socio-economic needs in the community.
- Serve one or more vulnerable populations.
Applying agencies must not:
- Be a for-profit organization.
- Run programs or services solely for political or religious purposes.
The transit vouchers are to be picked up by participating agencies in January and July of each program year.
Deadline for applications is December 13, 2024.
Mission
United Way BC, in partnership with the District of Mission, have been providing single-use bus tickets through the Emergency Assistance Transportation Program since March 2005.
United Way distributes the tickets on a regular basis* to non-profit agencies who regularly support those with medical and/or emergency transportation. ETAP supports low-income residents of the Fraser Valley by removing transportation barriers to essential services and opportunities. This program has enhanced these residents’ access to the labour market, secure housing, and access to vital food and health services.
*May change to quarterly basis in the future
Applications coming soon!
Penticton
Prince George
United Way has run the Emergency Transit Assistance Program in collaboration with the City of Prince George since 2005.
Agency Applications
Agencies may apply to be part of the following year’s program (January 1 – December 31) each November through a call for applications. United Way BC reviews the applications through December and provides notifications of program acceptance or denial out to applicants by December 24, allowing for the program to begin in January.
Applying agencies must:
- Be a non-profit organization.
- Run programs or services focused on socio-economic needs in the community.
- Serve one or more vulnerable populations.
Applying agencies must not:
- Be a for-profit organization.
- Run programs or services solely for political or religious purposes.
Applying agencies must indicate the program that clientele need transit assistance for and the amount of transit vouchers requested annually and monthly based on the need of their organization and clientele.
The transit vouchers are to be picked up by participating agencies in January and July of each program year.
Deadline for applications is December 13, 2024.
Quesnel
United Way has been affiliated with the Emergency Transit Assistance Program for many years, and began to fully administer the program in 2022.
Agency Applications
Agencies may apply to be part of the following year’s program (January 1 – December 31) each November through a call for applications. United Way BC reviews the applications through December and provides notifications of program acceptance or denial out to applicants by December 24, allowing for the program to begin in January.
Applying agencies must:
- Be a non-profit organization.
- Run programs or services focused on socio-economic needs in the community.
- Serve one or more vulnerable populations.
Applying agencies must not:
- Be a for-profit organization.
- Run programs or services solely for political or religious purposes.
Applying agencies must indicate the program that clientele need transit assistance for and the amount of transit vouchers requested annually and monthly based on the need of their organization and clientele.
The transit vouchers are to be picked up by participating agencies in January and July of each program year.
Deadline for applications is December 13, 2024.
Vernon
Agency Applications
Agencies may apply to be part of the following year’s program (January 1 – December 31) each November through a call for applications. United Way BC reviews the applications through December and provides notifications of program acceptance or denial out to applicants by December 24th, allowing for the program to begin in January.
Applying agencies must:
- Be a non-profit organization.
- Run programs or services focused on socio-economic needs in the community.
- Serve one or more vulnerable populations.
Applying agencies must not:
- Be a for-profit organization.
- Run programs or services solely for political or religious purposes.
The transit vouchers are to be picked up by participating agencies in January and July of each program year.
Deadline for applications is December 13, 2024.