Tumbler Ridge: TR CARES

In partnership with Northern Health, TR CARES runs a medical travel service from Tumbler Ridge to medical appointments out of town.

TR CARES offers weekly rides to Dawson Creek on Mondays and Thursdays only. We are able to meet the Northern Health Connections bus in Chetwynd and Dawson Creek. Please contact Northern Health Connections at 1-888-647-4997 or online.

TR CARES travels to Fort St. John once per month, first come, first serve. The service is only for people who are travelling for medical reasons. We are able to book several people on the same date, but will honour the first booking as the date of travel.

Book your trip

Call or text 250-242-7444. Messages are checked daily and someone will get back to you. You must leave a message if you desire a return call or text.

When leaving a message, please leave the following information:

• Name
• Phone number
• Home (pick-up) address
• Date of appointment
• Time of appointment
• Location/address of appointment

Do not call the TR CARES drivers directly for booking. Appointment details and other information must be funneled through the booking agent at the TR CARES number 250-242-7444.

You must book one day (24 hours) minimum in advance of your appointment to book a ride.

The booking agent will call you back after your request, usually the same day as you leave a message. Once you have secured a booking, you will be contacted by your driver the evening before your appointment, to confirm the time you will be picked up.

Pickup and drop-off

We provide door-to-door service between your home and your medical appointment.

The van leaves Tumbler Ridge as early as 8 am, depending on the time of passengers’ first appointment. Appointments must be made between 10 am and 2:30 pm. All appointments must be completed by 3 pm, for the van to return to Tumbler Ridge within posted times.

Who can use TR CARES?

TR CARES schedules up to five passengers for each trip. Tumbler Ridge residents can use the program if they;

• Are BC residents with valid BC Care Cards or BC Services Cards, or have been referred by a Northern Health physician.
• Do not require assistance getting in and out of the van.
• Do not require medical assistance during transportation.
• Are traveling for a physician referred medical service or for a health care service not available Tumbler Ridge.
• Have been transported a Chetwynd, Dawson Creek, or Fort St. John facility by ambulance and wish to use the service to return to Tumbler Ridge. This must be done during regular transportation dates and times only.
• TR CARES cannot guarantee availability if the van is out of service, or there is a valid reason we are unable to transport. Such reasons include dangerous travel conditions, poor road conditions, inclement weather, etc.

We do not transport

• Children under 12.
• All children between 12-18 must be accompanied by an adult family member or legal guardian.
• Anyone requiring medical assistance while enroute.
• Anyone wearing scents, cigarette smoke or similar smoke smell. You may not smoke in the van.

Rude or threatening behaviour towards any TR CARES volunteer will not be tolerated and is subject to refusal of future ride requests.