This policy applies specifically to the BC Transit handyDART mobile application. It should be read alongside BC Transit’s general Privacy Notice, which applies to bctransit.com and our services generally.
Privacy at BC Transit
BC Transit collects and uses personal information through the BC Transit handyDART mobile application (“the app”) only for the purpose of delivering transit services, supporting safety, or meeting legal requirements. As a public body, our privacy practices are governed by British Columbia’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA), which sets out how information must be collected, used, shared, and protected.
The app is provided by BC Transit and operated on our behalf by our technology service provider, Spare Labs Inc. (“Spare”). BC Transit remains responsible for the personal information collected through the app under FOIPPA; Spare processes this information under contract and only as directed by BC Transit.
At a glance
We collect personal information through the app to:
- create and manage your account
- book and manage trips
- provide trip updates and notifications
- support customer service
- improve handyDART service
We do not sell your personal information.
Your personal information is stored in Canada.
What information we collect and why
Through the app, the following categories of information may be collected:
| Category | What this includes | Why we collect it |
|---|---|---|
| Contact and account information | Name, phone number, email address | To create, verify and manage your account |
| Location information | Real-time or approximate device location, and pickup and drop-off addresses. Only collected when using the app. | To plan trips, dispatch vehicles, and provide real-time arrival estimates |
| Trip and booking history | Past and upcoming trip requests, frequency of use, and favorite locations | To schedule trips, support service planning, and rider experience |
| Eligibility and accessibility information | Registered handyDART eligibility status, mobility aid or accessibility needs, companion/attendant details | To arrange appropriate vehicles and accommodate accessibility needs |
| Device and technical information | Device type, operating system, device identifiers, IP address, app usage and crash data | To maintain app performance and troubleshoot issues |
| Notifications | Notification identifier for your device | To send trip reminders, arrival alerts, service disruption notices and general account specific announcements |
| Feedback | Post-ride rating, selected feedback options, and any comments entered in the free text field. Please avoid including sensitive or unnecessary personal information in feedback comments. | To assess and improve service quality |
Legal authority: This information is collected under section 26(c) of FOIPPA, as it relates directly to and is necessary for BC Transit’s operation of custom transit handyDART service.
Providing certain information (e.g., location) may be optional, but declining may limit some app features, such as real-time tracking.
How long we keep information
Personal information is retained in accordance with BC Transit records retention schedules and applicable legal requirements.
Where personal information is used to make a decision that directly affects an individual, FOIPPA requires that it be retained for at least one year so the individual has a reasonable opportunity to request access to it.
Where your information is stored
Personal information collected through the app is stored in Canada. This also includes backup, disaster recovery environments, and replicated, cached, or temporary data.
How we protect your information
We protect personal information collected through the app using:
- technical safeguards (such as encryption, system protections, and secure storage)
- administrative safeguards (policies, procedures, and staff/vendor training)
- access controls (limiting access to authorized personnel on a need-to-know basis)
- contractual safeguards with Spare requiring compliance with FOIPPA
Third-party app store platforms
The app is distributed through the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. These platforms may collect their own information about your download and use of the app under their own privacy policies, which are not controlled by BC Transit. We recommend reviewing Apple’s and Google’s privacy policies separately.
About our service provider
Spare operates the app on our behalf under contract with BC Transit, and processes personal information collected through the app only as directed by BC Transit and in compliance with FOIPPA. This policy governs the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information within the app.
Concerns or complaints
If you have a concern about how your personal information is handled through the app:
- Contact BC Transit’s Privacy Office (details below).
- You also have the right to bring your concern to the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner for British Columbia (OIPC), the independent authority that oversees compliance with FOIPPA.
Contact us
Email: privacy@bctransit.com
Phone: 250-385-2551 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Mail: Privacy Officer, BC Transit
520 Gorge Road East
Victoria, B.C. V8W 9T5
Changes to this privacy policy
This policy may be updated to reflect changes in law, privacy practices, or the app’s functionality. This policy was last updated on July 17, 2026.