TransLink’s new accessibility plan falls short for HandyDART users, advocate says
Posted September 27, 2023 2:25 pm.
TransLink’s new accessibility plan, which includes a commitment to increase HandyDART trips, doesn’t go far enough to address issues faced by people who rely on the service, according to one advocate.
The transit company’s updated plan includes a goal to increase HandyDART services by three per cent this year. The plan also aims to replace some older vehicles in the fleet and provide better training to operators.
CityNews has previously heard from people with disabilities who use the accessible bus service, who have expressed concerns over being offered taxis when they request a ride. TransLink said earlier this year that about one-in-five rides end up being provided by a taxi.
Read More: Metro Vancouver HandyDART users push back against taxi substitutes
Despite TransLink’s plans to bring that number down, Beth McKellar with the HandyDART Riders’ Alliance says it won’t do enough.
“What they need to do is take this service, get it out of the for-profit contractors, and start it all over again,” she told CityNews on Wednesday.
“They don’t care about the client. All they care is about the bottom line.”
McKellar adds she and others are fed up with being offered taxis instead of HandDART buses, saying she has regularly had bad experiences with them.
“If we wanted to take a cab, we would take a cab. It’s hard for us to get in and out of these things and when you have no assistance, that makes it even worse,” she said.
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TransLink says it consulted with the Access Transit Users’ Advisory Committee and the HandyDART Users’ Advisory Committee while putting the updated plan together. However, McKellar isn’t happy with the consultation that took place.
“It’s so badly broken and it needs to be repaired. It needs to start from the beginning and they (TransLink) need to listen to understand, not just listen to reply,” she said.
“We don’t mean anything to them. We’re just a bad rash that they can’t get rid of. So they’ll just throw a little bit in and turn it over to the contractor and it’s very disgusting.”
Other changes as part of the updated accessibility plan include online bookings for HandyDART service and improving information displayed at bus stops.
