Care-A-Car adds third vehicle to its fleet

In more than 40 years the Longford Care-a-Car has never failed to pick up a passenger in need.

The well-utilised, fully self-funded service relies on a roster of about 15 volunteers who give up their time to drive those experiencing mobility and transport issues to medical appointments.

Now a third car has been purchased to bring the fleet up to three and offer even greater flexibility with requests from clients including visiting a cemetery or attending a funeral, legal appointments, Centrelink, chemist or even for some well-deserved personal care like a trip to a hairdresser.

President Christine Barlow, who was a driver until she recently moved to Swansea, said committee members and drivers work together like a well-oiled machine.

She said the decision to buy a third car was made easier when Bennetts Petroleum northern area manager Scott Gale offered to heavily discount the fuel.

“We wanted to be able to have capacity to expand our service manifesto,” Christine said.

“The only thing we don’t tend to cover is grocery shopping, because we can’t guarantee our pick-up time and food could perish while waiting.”

Chrissie Edwards, who spends most of her time in a chair due to ill health, said if it wasn’t for the Care-A-Care she wouldn’t be able to live in her Longford home.

“I live by myself and transport is my biggest problem,” she said.

“The drivers are absolutely amazing and I probably call on them about once a week – they joke I should get frequent flyer points.

“You have a lovely chin-wag on the way and there’s not one that doesn’t do their utmost to look after you.”

Care-a- Car charges $20 for a trip to Launceston or $5 if local to Longford. However no-one is refused if they can’t afford the fee.

It’s a simple system, where clients call co-ordinator Gail McBain, the linchpin of the service who takes the bookings and transfers the information to a run sheet which is handed to the drivers.

Driver and vice president David Nyman said that each of the cars covers about $35,000km per year and services on average 50-60 clients per week.

“Most of our clients are from the greater Longford area, including Cressy, Perth, Evandale, Bishopsbourne and Nile, and most trips are into Launceston for medical appointments,” he said.