HandyDART Riders' Alliance

The Mayors Council is holding a public meeting on Thursday this week (Dec 11) 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m at the Anvil Centre Ballroom 777 Columbia St. New Westminster – across the street from the New West Skytrain Station.

At this meeting the Mayors’ are expected to formally choose the funding source or sources they want to go to referendum. According to Global News, it is down to three options: 1) Regional carbon/gas tax 2) Regional vehicle levy 3) Regional sales tax.

Our Backgrounder explains more about the situation, and the importance for HandyDART riders. The Province Newspaper story Mayors’ council has a TransLink funding referendum ready to go after private meeting also provides an update on recent events.

MEDIA Advisory

HandyDART Riders to hold forum on transit referendum in Surrey

For immediate release – Thursday October 23, 2014

What: Transit Referendum and HandyDART Public Forum. HandyDART riders and politicians available for interviews.

When: Saturday October 25, 2014 – 11am to 1pm

Where: Cloverdale Library 5642 176A Street Surrey BC. Continue reading →

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 crucial vote would strand thousands. Continue reading →

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.”

Continue reading →

Mobilizing to Increase HandyDART Service!

Public Forum
Saturday July 26, 2014 12:30 – 2:30 pm
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,

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.

Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →

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.”
Continue reading →

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.

Continue reading →