VANCOUVER, B.C.: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation is urging TransLink’s board of directors to listen to its own advice and resist political pressure to bring HandyDART services inhouse. 

“Even TransLink says the service would be worse and bills would be bigger if it provides HandyDART services without a private contractor,” said Carson Binda, B.C. Director for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. “That’s a bad plan for folks who use the service and it’s a bad plan for taxpayers.” 

HandyDART is a TransLink service that gives door-to-door rides for people like seniors with mobility issues, who would not otherwise be able to use conventional transit. The service is delivered by a private-sector contractor. 

The B.C. NDP’s platform from last year’s provincial election included a commitment to bring “B.C.’s HandyDART services into government.” 

A report prepared for the board of directors by a TransLink vice president sounds the alarm over the NDP’s plan to bring HandyDART in-house. 

Bringing HandyDART services under government control would cost TransLink an additional $20-$70 million per year, according to TransLink’s report. 

At the same time it “provides no customer benefit,” and “additional funding and/or service reductions would be necessary.” 

“Forcing TransLink to bring HandyDART in house would cost more money for worse service,” said Binda. “The NDP and some local mayors must stop politicizing this decision unless they want higher taxes and worse service for seniors and British Columbians with mobility concerns." 

TransLink’s board of directors is meeting on Dec. 3 and will discuss the future of HandyDART services.