Book a Ride with MediGo
Please follow the steps below in order to have a successful ride.
Island Health
Island Health currently provides funding to many contract transportation providers, creating support for people located in rural and remote regions of Vancouver Island. As part of this transportation network, People for a Healthy Community will be providing door-to-door patient transportation services for Island residents. Transportation is available to help those with barriers in accessing trips to and from Island Health appointments, facilities, or locations.
If you or someone in your care requires travel assistance for a local or an out-of-community appointment, please connect with your Island Health care provider, or please get in touch with our Help Desk staff to assist with travel options and connect you with the appropriate transportation support.
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Please call 1-844-940-6617 or email info.patient.transportation@islandhealth.ca
Partnership with
Drivers to Doctors
We would like to start by acknowledging Drivers to Doctors (operated by Gabriola Auxiliary) and their volunteer drivers for a well established and caring service that will continue as per usual alongside MediGo. We are fortunate enough to be able to pool our resources and provide additional support to our community. Thank you to all Drivers to Doctors drivers and the Gabriola Auxillary for their support and continued service!
Questions & Answers
Q: If I currently get rides with Drivers to Doctors, do I need to change anything?
A: D2D will continue to run as per usual. We are fortunate to be able to pool our resources and provide additional support to our community.
Q: What days will you be running?
A: The van will go to Nanaimo on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. We partner with Drivers to Doctors and Gabriola Taxi to provide rides to Gabriola Island Health appointments all days of the week.
Q: What times will the van leave and return?
A: The bus will leave to accommodate the earliest appointment, and return at the end of the latest appointment that day.
Q: What if there are other appointments? Will I be stuck in Nanaimo until they're done?
A: We partner with Gabriola Taxi to help shuttle riders to and from the ferry on days where appointment times greatly differ. This may mean a rider will travel on the ferry as a walk-on, and be driven to or from the ferry free of charge.
Q: How much does this service cost?
A: This service is FREE, with a TAP form (pink slip) from your doctor, or the cost of one passenger fare on BC Ferries ($10.80) if not eligible for a TAP form.
Q: Extra assistance or escort, can someone stay with me for my appointment?
A: You are welcome to be accompanied by your own escort (if your TAP slip requires it). If your TAP slip doesn’t require it they will not be able to ride the MediGo van. Please make sure to indicate you will have an escort when booking your MediGo ride.
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If you need additional boarding assistance or cannot find someone to accompany you, and you need an escort please contact Driver to Doctors 250-268-9433 for individual drives with an escort.
Q: Can someone help me on & off
A: The MediGo van is NOT equipped with a wheelchair lift. So you will need to navigate on & off yourself.
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Drivers to Doctors can offer wheelchair service but the rider MUST be able to transfer in & out of the car by themselves. Please contact 250-268-9433 to book an appointment.
Q: Do I need a cell phone?
A: A cell phone is preferable in case of any changes that happens while in Nanaimo.
Q: Who can use this service?
A: This is offered to anyone needing a ride to an VIHA appointment.
If you have further questions, please contact our Program Coordinator at
transportation@phcgabriola.org or call 250-325-7311 to book an appointment.
