Category Archives: Uncategorized

Transit Referendum & HandyDART: Public Forum

Saturday Oct 25, 2014    11 am – 1 pm

Cloverdale Library 5642 176A Street Surrey B.C.

The Provincial Government has announced a Transit Referendum to be held in March of 2015. Losing this crucialOct 25 2014 POSTER ED1 vote would strand thousands. Continue reading

HandyDART Riders Gathering Allies for ‘Unknown’ Transit Referendum Campaign – Only 1/3 Know About Vote

MEDIA Advisory

HandyDART Riders Gathering Allies for ‘Unknown’ Transit Referendum Campaign: Poll shows only 1/3rd of residents know about planned transit referendum

For immediate release –Thursday July 24, 2014

While a recent TransLink poll shows that 64% of Metro Vancouver residents don’t know that a transit funding referendum is planned, HandyDART riders are bringing allied groups together on Saturday July 26 for a public forum about mobilizing for the vote expected in Spring 2015.

“It will take a big diverse coalition to win this referendum most people don’t even know about yet.” says HandyDART Riders’ Alliance spokesperson Elizabeth McKellar. “After five years of neglect we desperately need more HandyDART vans on the road, so we desperately need allies willing to campaign for better transit.”

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Mobilizing to Increase HandyDART Service! Public Forum Sat. July 26

Mobilizing to Increase HandyDART Service!

Public Forum
Saturday July 26, 2014 12:30 – 2:30 pmJuly 26 2014 HD Forum Poster Final
New Westminster Public Library
716-6th Avenue New Westminster, BC

The Mayors of Metro Vancouver have proposed increasing HandyDART service hours 30% over 10 years. But their proposal needs approval from Premier Christy Clark, and to pass in the transit funding referendum she has imposed.

Come and learn about how you can get involved in campaigning for better HandyDART service! Continue reading

Dear Editor, Why is there $3b for a new bridge and peanuts for public transit?

Dear Editor,

The provincial government continues to announce mega project after mega project, most recently, the $3-billion Massey Tunnel replacement scheme.

In contrast, our transit system is starved for basic operating funds. That is why there were more than 42,000 HandyDART trip denials in 2013, an eight-fold increase in four years.

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Media Release: HandyDART Riders will Campaign for Mayors’ Transit Plan in Referendum

MEDIA RELEASE

HandyDART Riders will Campaign for Mayors’ Transit Plan in Referendum: Thirty percent over 10-years inadequate after 5-year freeze, but riders group will support as a good first step.

For immediate release – Friday June 13, 2014

“After five years of neglect we desperately need more HandyDART vans on the road” says HandyDART Riders’ Alliance spokesperson Elizabeth McKellar. “What the mayors are proposing is not enough, but it is good enough for us to step up and campaign for the yes side if the province approves taking the proposal to referendum.”

The Mayors Council proposal is for a 30% increase in HandyDART service hours over 10 years. This translates to about 2.7% per year compounded.

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Media Release: HandyDART Contractor Hiding Soaring Trip Denials – Forum Sat. May 24

MEDIA RELEASE

HandyDART Contractor Hiding Soaring Trip Denials:

Riders’ group hopeful mayors will include HandyDART increase in referendum package

For immediate release –Wednesday May 21, 2014

Internal company documents shared with the HandyDART Riders’ Alliance by unionized workers show that the company operating HandyDART service in Metro Vancouver has changed accounting procedures to disguise deteriorating service to people with disabilities and seniors.

“This is about real people being denied rides to essential medical appointments and family visits” says HandyDART Riders’ Alliance spokesperson Elizabeth McKellar. “We need more HandyDART vans on the road, not accounting tricks to sweep the crisis under the carpet.”
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The Future of HandyDART – Public Forum: The Crisis of Isolation

CBC photo

Saturday May 24, 2014 – 11am to 1pm

(Small group meeting / letter writing 1-2pm)

Surrey City Centre Library, 10350 University Drive Surrey
(350m / 5min from Surrey Centre SkyTrain Station & Bus Loop)

The provincial government has reneged on their promise to fund transit improvements including HandyDART. As a result people with disabilities and seniors were denied HandyDART service over 42,000 times last year, an eight-fold increase in only four years. Service quality has also deteriorated, with riders routinely forced to wait for hours.

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Want Better HandyDART Service? Write to Your Mayor!

When elected mayors and councillors sat on the TransLink Board, they listened to people with disabilities and seniors and increased HandyDART service hours by about 5% per year to keep up with demand. But after the provincial government removed elected board members and imposed an appointed board in 2008, HandyDART service hours were frozen and HandyDART trip denials soared.

Now our elected mayors are regaining some of their lost power. The Mayors Council is putting together a package of transit improvements to be voted on in the transit referendum that will likely happen in June 2015. But increased HandyDART funding will only be part of the referendum package if the Mayors insist on having it included.

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New Website!

The HandyDART Riders’ Alliance is just creating this new website, it is not complete yet. But the basics will be done soon!