HandyDart users rally for better service at TransLink board meeting
HandyDart has 'run amok, it's chaos' claims user about service meant to support the elderly and disabled
A group of elderly and disabled protesters rallied at TransLink's open board of directors meeting to voice concerns over HandyDart service.
Protester Beth McKellar said ever since TransLink contracted the running of HandyDart to a California company in 2009, the service has gone downhill to the point where it is now "oppressive and discriminatory."
"It's just run amok. It's chaos," she said. "They have broken the system and it's time we all worked together to fix it."
Most of the protesters were in wheelchairs, many holding signs with slogans like "Better transit, more HandyDart" and "People not Profit".
Under the current HandyDart system users have to book seven days in advance. Taxis have also been recruited but users have complained about slow service and unhelpful drivers who don't know or care about helping people with special needs.
"I think all of us were moved by the comments we heard today," said TransLink chariman Barry Forbes. "We need to hear their stories."
Forbes indicated TransLink would look at bringing the service back in house. The third-party contract expires in 2017.
McKellar would like to see TransLink consult more with HandyDart users and include a disabled person on its board of directors. She says the best solution is to run HandyDart as a non-profit, similar to the pre-2009 set up.