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In our community, several types of transit services work
together to provide accessible transportation.
Conventional Transit Service
On the conventional transit system, a fleet of Low-floor
buses provide wheelchair and scooter accessible service on
transit routes throughout the region. Low-floor buses are
equipped with a ramp, have no entry steps and have a kneeling
feature that lowers the entry level for customers who use
walkers, crutches or who have difficulty climbing stairs.
handyDART
handyDART is a transportation
service for persons who have a disability that is sufficiently
severe that the person is unable to use conventional transit
service without assistance. handyDART service is provided
to and from accessible building entrances. You must be registered
with the handyDART office before you can use the service.
Taxi Saver Program
For those times when the handyDART system is unavailable,
the Taxi Saver Program provides
registered handyDART customers with subsidized taxi service,
giving them the flexibility to coordinate their own trips.
At this time, the Taxi Saver Program is not available in Parksville
and Qualicum.
Taxi Supplement Program
The Taxi Supplement Program enables the handyDART operator
to book trips in taxis when the regular vehicle(s) is unavailable,
either because of capacity issues or because the trip cannot
be accommodated in a timely manner. In essence, the handyDART
operator becomes one large regular client to the taxi company,
while in turn the vehicles of the taxi company act like extra
vehicles to the handyDART operator.
For instance, if a customer requests a trip when the handyDART
vehicle is unavailable, Taxi Supplement enables the handyDART
dispatcher to relay the customer's name, pickup and drop off
details to a participating taxi company. The taxi company
then slots that customer into their bookings for the day and
picks up and drops off the customer at the assigned locations
and times. There may be restrictions on the use of this service
including requirements for ride sharing and budget limitations.
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