12 posts found for transit

TaxiSavers: COSCO & BCCPD Applaud TransLink & the Community

July 12, 2012 by DABC

The Council of Senior Citizens Organizations (COSCO) and the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD) applauds the TransLink Board for reversing its plan to eliminate the TaxiSaver Program. We would also like to congratulate the organizations and individuals who worked hard to show TransLink why Taxisavers are so important to the dignity and independence of seniors and people with disabilities.
  
By truly listening to the voices of people who use TaxiSavers and acting on what it heard the Board has demonstrated that it values community consultation. We are encouraged that going forward TransLink will continue to engage in true community consultation when it develops plans that impact people with disabilities and seniors.

TaxiSaver Community Forum

June 11, 2012 by DABC

TaxiSaver Cuts
Community Forum

Tuesday, June 19, 1-3:30pm
Vancouver City Hall
453 West 12 Ave
TownHall Meeting Room

Wheelchair accessible. Sign language interpreters.
Everyone is welcome.

Please join us on Tuesday, June 19, from 1 to 3:30pm, to discuss the importance of TaxiSavers and why they should be re-instated.  Everyone is welcome. 

TransLink Board and staff have been invited, so this will be a good opportunity to voice your concerns and ask questions.

This community forum is co-sponsored by the City of Vancouver Seniors Advisory Committee and the City of Vancouver Persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee.

We are hosting three community forums about TaxiSavers:

Tuesday, June 19, 1-3:30pm, Vancouver City Hall, 453 West 12, Town Hall
Tuesday, July 3, 1-4pm, Community Centre, 870 Denman, Auditorium
Thursday, July 12, 10am -1pm, Vancouver City Hall, 453 West 12, Town Hall

Please come to any of these community forums, and please let your members and community know about them.

For more information, please contact  taxisaverissues@smartt.com

Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of BC (COSCO) and The BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD)

May 17, 2012 by DABC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 16, 2012

Groups oppose TransLink’s Plan To Eliminate TaxiSaver Program for HandyDART Users

Vancouver: TransLink’s Board has voted to eliminate the Taxi Saver Program which provides people who are registered HandyDART users a 50% subsidy for taxi rides. While timelines have yet to be finalized it appears that TaxiSaver coupons will not be accepted after June 2013 and that registrants after July 2012 will not be able to purchase them.

The Council of Senior Citizens’ Organizations of BC (COSCO) and the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD) are extremely disappointed that the program is slated to end. “This will definitely have a negative impact on seniors living on low income and frail seniors who use taxi savers,” said Lorraine Logan Vice President of COSCO.

BC Transit’s website explains that TaxiSavers “provide registered handyDART clients with greater convenience for spontaneous travel when HandyDART cannot accommodate their travel needs.” But at a meeting this week, TransLink representatives told COSCO, BCCPD and other stakeholders that it wants to eliminate the program and apply the savings to HandyDART so that it can provide more rides. TransLink said savings can be made because its records show that only 13% of TaxiSaver users ride on HandyDART.

Stakeholders pointed out that the decision does not make financial sense: people who use TaxiSavers pay half their taxi fare. By taking away the subsidy many will only use HandyDART which per ride is a more expensive option than taxis.

Lilo Ljubisic, a totally blind Paralympian said, “TaxiSavers are an essential lifeline that bridge the gap when regular transit and HandyDART can’t provide the support I need. I use TaxiSavers as a last resort as part of a blended approach for my transit needs. Eliminating this program will limit my independence and impact my confidence about getting around because knowing I can call a taxi when I need one makes me feel safe.”

“Many people with disabilities and seniors live in poverty,” said the BCCPD’s Jane Dyson. “We’re concerned that they will have less access to the community and that their quality of life will suffer. We are urging TransLink to re-think this cut.”

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For more information please contact:

Jane Dyson – 604-875-0188