Thank you so much to those who have generously donated to GERTIE. GERTIE is very lucky to have so many kind friends and supporters.
The Gabriola Community Bus Foundation is a registered charity. We’ll be happy to issue you a tax receipt for your donation. Our business registration is: 817733132 RR0001.
Donate using:
Interac transfer using gabriolacommunitybus@gmail.com. Please make the question easy! (We’ll probably get it if ‘Gertie’ is the answer). You can also use Canada Helps.
How about becoming a monthly donor. Even a small donation monthly is very helpful.
You can set that up through Canada Helps or contact GERTIE at gabriolacommunitybus@gmail.com to discuss how you can become a monthly donor.
GERTIE came into being in June of 2013, after a group of bus advocates spent six years trying to get approval for a BC Transit bus service for Gabriola Island. With the Regional District of Nanaimo’s support, the group decided to undertake a 3-year pilot project to ascertain the feasibility of a permanent bus service on Gabriola. Using volunteers for driving and administration, waste vegetable oil from the island’s restaurants in the fuel tanks, capital funds from the RDN-administered Community Works Fund (federal gas tax money set aside for funding projects aimed at reducing greenhouse gases), and operating funds from donations made by many generous community members and organizations plus a $10,000 ‘worthy community projects’ award from BC Hydro, the project has been a resounding success. Response from riders has been overwhelmingly positive. “A bus on Gabriola is something I’ve dreamed of for the 23 years I’ve lived here – thanks Gertie organizers!!!” is a typical comment. Initially, the bus was run by a non-hierarchical team of volunteers, a part-time coordinator and volunteer drivers. On February 13, 2016, 66.9% of ratepayers approved tax support for Gertie, the community-run public bus through a referendum. GERTIE is run by the Gabriola Community Bus Foundation.