Pozzolengo and Brescia Launch Volunteer Transport for Elderly Assistance
The agreement between the Comune di Pozzolengo and the Associazione Pensionati regarding the “Transport Assistance for Needy People” service is now a reality. To date, for Brescia, there is only one bus making two trips: the first in the morning with a return in the afternoon, and the second departing in the afternoon with an evening return.
The same applies to Verona. A few years ago, there was an attempt with another bus service limited to Desenzano del Garda, but it was unsuccessful due to a lack of passengers. Certainly today, almost everyone owns a car.
Transportation needs for the elderly and service management
However, many elderly, and especially lonely, individuals need to go to offices or visit or have checks at the Ospedale di Desenzano but do not have a car. They are therefore in great difficulty, as they cannot always rely on buses, given the schedules which would require them to be out all day.
Hence, the idea of the City Council, and the quick acceptance by the Associazione Pensionati, to establish a volunteer service. Members of the association will provide both people and vehicles to solve the problem.
Management and reimbursement of expenses
The entire operation will be managed by the Amministrazione Comunale, to which all people in need of the service must turn. It will be the Municipality’s role to assess the actual need of the applicant, verifying the genuine necessity of using the service.
Once the application is approved, the Municipality will inform the Associazione Pensionati, which will then provide a volunteer and a vehicle. Naturally, the Municipality will reimburse the Associazione Pensionati for transportation costs, estimated at 200,000 lire for the first year and 300,000 for the second.
Additionally, a reimbursement of 500 lire per kilometer will be provided. Reimbursements for documented expenses such as tolls, parking, etc., will also be granted. If the volunteer uses a municipal vehicle, no mileage reimbursement will be provided.
The agreement approved by the City Council is effective from September 15 and will last for two years.
