LET’S moderated the Save Our HandyDART! Virtual Town Hall in September. Save Our HandyDART is a coalition of riders, disability advocates, labour groups, community organizations, and attendees. The Save Our HandyDART coalition is advocating for change in a variety of ways, including speaking with government representatives.
The Town Hall was called to talk about concerns about Translink’s increased use of taxis to perform HandyDART trips and the service’s lack of public accountability. Over 100 people attended the Town Hall.
Coalition members described severe safety issues with taxis, including instances in which riders were injured getting in and out of taxis, had their wheelchairs improperly secured, or were even left on the street by taxi drivers who did not provide door-to-door assistance.
(Image: Illustration of yellow taxi with cityscape in background.)
Following is an example of the impassioned speeches shared by HandyDART riders. Mary Deane states:
“I have been using taxi services for a while because of HandyDART transportation. Taxi services are terrible, the drivers are not willing to help at all, they stay in their cars, they refuse to move forward the passenger seat so that I could access the back seat , having just had a complete knee replacement surgery done and could not get in tight spaces. They cause me so much pain because of their unwillingness to help the passenger. Also they want you to sign the receipt without putting the right amount on. A few of the people attending day care programs have the same issue over and over. I requested to add in my file no taxi services ever. HandyDART drivers are very kind, helpful, they treat with care, friendly. I love my HandyDART drivers, they are the best.”
You can access testimonials from HandyDART users in video form, and also read a report prepared by Ecopath Planning on the access issues facing HandyDART users. A petition to end the use of taxis as fill-in for HandyDART services can be signed here, and a survey about your experience with HandyDART services is available here.
The Town Hall event was a success and a great beginning for this ongoing conversation. LET’S will keep you updated as the action continues.