On-site shuttle at Palmerston North Hospital

04/08/2009 | On-site shuttle at Palmerston North Hospital

A Palmerston North Hospital campus on-site shuttle service that picks up and returns clinic patients and visitors to their carparks begins next week.

A battery and petrol-driven hybrid car, a white Toyota Prius, will provide the service on an initial trial basis from 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

The shuttle will use a roster of volunteer drivers and be easily spotted in the A, B, C and D visitor carparks and around the hospital through two tall, orange flags on its roof.

Funding has been provided by Endeavour Community Trust, a non-profit charitable organisation that fundraises for sporting and charitable purposes, with support from other sponsors comprising Fleetwise, Manawatu Toyota and Capture Signs.

Commercial Support Services Group Manager, Jeff Small, said he was extremely grateful at the trust’s decision to make the grant and for the support of the other sponsors. The project is among a number of initiatives aimed at improving hospital access.

Trust Chairman, David Bennett, said he was delighted the trust could help with a project that offered benefits to the community as a whole.

“Capital items like a carpark shuttle do make a difference and this service will assist patients and visitors to get to and from appointments quicker,” he said.

Fleetwise Managing Director, Simon Taylor, said the hybrid car with its low carbon footprint fitted in well with MidCentral District Health Board’s policy of reducing emissions.

“It will be a real benefit for mobile patients who have had to park some distance from the hospital, as well as those drivers who have dropped people off at the front doors before finding a park,” said Mr Taylor. “Now they can hitch a ride back to the hospital with the shuttle.”

Anyone wanting further information, or who is interested in becoming a volunteer driver, is asked to contact House Manager, Gary Petherick, on (06) 350-8803.