Big Sandy Activity Center has received a new van three years after starting the grant application with the Montana Department of Transportation. The delivery of the van was delayed by various issues related to the pandemic and supply chain problems. The agency has also acquired a new van for running clients to appointments. The newly arrived vehicles are a much needed addition to the Activity Center transportation fleet.
Heather Pleninger, who is the director of the agency, explained why the agency needed the new vehicles: "There were times last year when we had to cancel some appointments because we did not have a reliable vehicle to drive. The guys haven't gotten to go on out-of-town outings for a really long time just because the vehicles that we have aren't reliable. Going to Dairy Queen, Rods, Beaver Creek, and picnics at Pepin Park, those are some of their favorite things." However, those outings have become untenable due to transportation issues.
Heather explained that the delay in the delivery of the vehicle was partially due to the Covid lockdowns and their impact of supply chains. Further delay came as a result of "...waiting for parts. There was a strike into September of 2023. The automakers had a strike, so that also delayed things. Then to get it here, it came from Indiana, and Montana pays the absolute least for truckers to haul shipments here. So no one wanted to take the shipment according to our driver."
The van arrives as the agency is dealing with ongoing transportation problems. The existing fleet consists of aging vehicles (1996, 1993, 2001, and 2007). Various issues with each vehicle has hampered their usability with the clients. When transporting wheelchair bound clients, the issues associated with malfunctions to lifts or breakdowns is significant. The large van that the new vehicle will be replacing has experienced repeated breakdowns, including once when in stranded clients in Harlem after a breakdown in sub-zero weather. Fortunately, the van broke down in a town and the clients were able to visit local establishments to stay warm and safe until transportation home could be arranged. "Thank goodness, the casino let us hang out and there was a convenience store that sold pizza right around the corner. We were able to get them all pizza for lunch. Addy and I had enough cash that they just got to play the machines for the afternoon. What else do you do while waiting for someone to come and pick you up?"
"It's one thing if you get in a bind with a regular type of vehicle. You can just pop somebody out and into a different vehicle. When you go with a big van and wheelchairs, if you get stuck, you have to wait for the same type of vehicle to come along to transport you. So one of our wheelchairs that we just weighed, the motorized wheelchair with the person is 560 pounds."
The new van purchased with the state grant came equipped with all of the needed equipment for transporting the Activity Center clients, including a lift, wheelchair tie-downs, and other equipment.
The new van will enable the wheelchair-bound clients of the Activity Center to resume out-of-town trips and outings. These outings are important to the clients and their quality of life. They enjoy getting out and enjoying activities outside of the immediate community.
The center also purchased a new Chrysler Pacifica minivan to transport clients to appointments. "This is a minivan to haul ambulatory people, because we currently have three other vehicles." Those vehicles have major, ongoing issues with reliability and operability that come with aging fleet vehicles. From broken air conditioning that creates problems with transporting clients in hot weather, to power steering that is inoperable, drivers seats that do not move forward/backwards, or being just plain unreliable. "If we end up having to do doctor's appointments or anything out of town, we needed something reliable."
The long awaited delivery of the van and the purchase of the new minivan are major acquisitions for the agency, which meet a significant need in the work they do and the lives of the clients. After three years of delays and setbacks, the clients will finally be able to ride in safety and reacquire the freedom that comes with enjoying the world outside of the BSA facility.
