Update 12:30 p.m.
City Hall did not return a call from BayToday asking for additional information but instead has issued this news release.
"The City of North Bay has received notice from PHARA (Physically Handicapped Adults’ Rehabilitation Association Nipissing Parry Sound) that they will be discontinuing the partnership for the provision of transportation services for physically challenged persons effective July 31, 2018.
"During this period, the City will be exploring options to ensure the continuance of these services. In the meantime, service will continue through our partnership with PHARA. Additional information will be shared with users of the system once a transition plan has been finalized."
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The future of the city's Para Bus program is uncertain this morning, as the Physically Handicapped Adults Rehabilitation Association, (PHARA) announced it will end its involvement.
The Para Bus provides transit service for people with disabilities including curb to curb pickup and wheelchair accessible transportation. Four full time and four part time workers apparently lost their jobs.
"PHARA has made the difficult and challenging decision not to renew our involvement with the Para Bus program effective July 31st," states a news release.
The release states that the organization will focus instead on its core services of attendant care and housing.
Para Bus is a joint program between PHARA and the City of North Bay.
The city owns and maintains the buses, while PHARA provides the dispatch team and drivers.
"The employees of PHARA have been provided more than 16 weeks of working notice and have been offered a generous severance package," states the release.
The number of employees affected was not revealed, and a call to PHARA by BayToday was not immediately returned.
