THE WHO, WHAT, WHEN AND WHERE OF THE SHRINERS CARE CRUISER TRAVEL PROGRAM
Our goal is to make your travel on the Shriners Care Cruiser a safe, pleasant and convenient experience. All Shriners Care Cruisers are wheelchair lift-equipped; two are capable of accommodating stretchers. Patients who require this type of transportation should notify the Shriners Travel Coordinator with as much advanced notice as possible to insure the scheduling of these coaches.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR TRAVEL SERVICE?
Any BC child and their parents, or care givers who are receiving treatment at any Shriners Hospitals for Children, BC Childrens Hospital, BC Women's Hospital and Sunny Hill Hospital. Any other travel requests must be pre-approved by the Shriners of BC & Yukon.
IS THERE A COST FOR THE TRANSPORTATION?
No, like the care given at our 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children the transportation service is free of charge. Patients are however responsible for their own accommodations and meals.
MUST I PRE-BOOK MY TRIP?
Yes. Pre-booking is a must. Drivers are not allowed to transport persons who are not listed on their manifest. Pre-book your travel request as soon as you know the date of your hospital appointment.
CAN I REQUEST PRIORITY SEATING?
No. Priority seating is available only for patients with mobility disabilities.
CAN OTHER MEMBERS OF MY FAMILY TRAVEL WITH ME?
Yes, but only in British Columbia. Due to space restraints on board the coaches you must first have approval from our Shrine Travel Coordinator who will check if space is available and obtain the necessary approvals. Families traveling to the United States are required to have passports.
WHERE DO I BOARD THE CARE CRUISER?
We use a hub city pick up and drop off system. Our Travel Coordinator will instruct you as to your pick up time and location as well as any other instructions required. You must be at the pick up location 20 minutes prior to the pick up time. The Care Cruisers will not wait for patients after the assigned pick up time. If you reside in a town along our traveled routes arrangements can be made with our Travel Coordinator for pick up and drop off at the closest town to your location, provided it does not present an inconvenience or safety hazard to our passengers or coaches.
WHERE ARE THE HUB CITIES?
Our current hub cities are; Vancouver, Cache Creek, 100 Mile House, Williams Lake, Quesnel, Prince George for central northern BC. Merritt, Kamloops, Revelstoke, Vernon, Kelowna, Penticton for the BC interior and Castlegar for the Kootenay region.
DO YOU HAVE DOOR TO DOOR SERVICE?
No. Only on a rare occasion will we provide door to door service. This service must be approved by the Executive Director of the Shriners of BC & Yukon and approval is only considered if there are extraordinary medical circumstances. Drivers are only permitted to drop off and pick up at our hub city locations.
IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO:
Notify our Shrine Travel Coordinator of any special needs or assistance requirements prior to your trip. The more notice, the better we can assist you.
Notify our Shrine Travel Coordinator if you will be transporting Oxygen or respirators prior to your trip. Portable oxygen and respirators may accompany you on the Care Cruiser. The patient is responsible for ensuring that they have enough oxygen to complete their travel. Oxygen canisters are to be stored in the baggage compartment must be in protective cases with safety caps on the valves.
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To Pre-book and Re-confirm your transportation
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