Bernice Woodruff misses having a grocery store near her downtown Langley home. The recent closure of the Marketplace IGA on Douglas Crescent has forced changes on the 73-year-old and other downtown seniors.

So when the Langley Seniors' Resource Centre started a shuttle service with its small bus, she gladly hopped on for the first run Aug. 31.

"I'll be a regular rider," she said. Each Friday, the shuttle will take seniors from the IGA parking lot over to Price Smart Foods on Fraser Highway.

There will be four runs - 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and noon with return trips on the 45 (9: 45 a.m., etc).

"I think it will help a lot," Woodruff said about the new service.

She was walking to the Price Smart and taking a cab home, not an option for many downtown residents.

The ability to purchase groceries and get home again easily means more independence for her.

"I can cook more at home," she explained.

The shuttle service is free for seniors and they can bring walkers or small wheeled shopping carts.

The shuttle bus is not wheelchair accessible "so they have to be able to walk on and walk off," explained Barb Stack, the seniors' centre executive director.

They don't have to sign up in advance although that may change if the service becomes filled up.

Anyone wanting more information about the service can contact the seniors' centre at 604-530-3020 or lsrs.ca.

hcolpitts@langleyadvance.com