FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 6, 2013
REDUCTION OF HANDYDART-DESPITE GROWING NEED
HandyDART, a public transportation system for people with disabilities is not meeting demand. By June of 2012 the number of clients who were denied trips had surpassed levels for all of 2011. These statistics hide the increasing number of clients that have to turn down one way trips due to cost and physical barriers.
TransLink has taken 10,000 hours of service from HandyDART to taxis supplements as of April 1, 2013. HandyDART workers have extensive training yearly and a stable and long term workforce. The Taxi industry has minimal training in assisting disabled people. Taxi income relies on quick trips. HandyDART drivers can take the time necessary to provide safe, door to door service without worrying about losing potential income.
Daily HandyDART passengers are stranded in their homes, unable to seek medical attention, groceries or meet their social needs.
FORUM ON HANDYDART
On April 13, 2013 at 2:00 – 4:00pm a forum to open discussion on the future of HandyDART will be held at the Collingwood Neighbourhood House (5288 Joyce Street). This forum will highlight speakers from senior and, disabled person’s organizations as well as politicians. Discussion from the floor will follow.
The Future of HandyDART Forum will bring the issue of custom transit to the public. This event is a much needed opportunity to ensure custom public transportation meets the tsunami of demand for years to come.
Bob Chitrenky
President
Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724
Email: bobchitrenky@shaw.ca
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