18 posts found for transportation

Applications are Now Available for TransLink’s Access Transit Users’ and HandyDART Users’ Advisory Committees

August 26, 2026 by DABC

Application Deadline: Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.

Please complete the online application form here.

The application form contains information about each committee in order to help you determine which committee your skills and experience are best suited to. Please be sure to select which committee you intend to apply for on your application, as applications for each committee are reviewed separately. You may apply for both committees; however, you will need to complete an application separately for each committee.

Please tailor your application to highlight experience that is relevant to the committee you are applying to.

Applicants to both of these committees must:

  • Live within the TransLink service region (Metro Vancouver);
  • Have the ability to receive and reply to email correspondence in a timely manner;
  • Have access to technology which will allow them to review electronic agenda packages prior to meetings, and
  • Attend a virtual new member orientation at the beginning of the year.

Meetings are primarily held virtually over Zoom, and TransLink will plan for one in-person meeting to be held at their head office in New Westminster. Committee members receive a $100 honorarium for each meeting attended.

About the Access Transit Users’ Advisory Committee 

The purpose of the Access Transit Users’ Advisory Committee (UAC) is to advise TransLink on improvements to the accessibility of their conventional transit services (Bus, SkyTrain, SeaBus and West Coast Express). The Committee provides accessibility-related advice on TransLink plans, programs and other initiatives. UAC members are people with disabilities, seniors, or those who support people with disabilities and/or seniors. Successful candidates will be appointed to a three-year term.

Members attend six meetings per year. Tentative UAC meeting dates for 2027 are as follows: 

  • Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2027, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Wednesday, April 7, 2027, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (In-person TBC)
  • Wednesday, June 2, 2027, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Sep 22, 2027, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Nov. 3, 2027, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2027, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

About the HandyDART Users’ Advisory Committee 

The purpose of the HandyDART Users’ Advisory Committee (HDUAC) is for HandyDART customers and their representatives and stakeholder groups to provide advice and guidance on HandyDART plans, programs and other initiatives, and to advise TransLink on matters to improve HandyDART service for customers. HDUAC members use HandyDART, or support people who use HandyDART. Successful candidates will be appointed to a three-year term.

Members attend four meetings per year. Tentative HDUAC meeting dates for 2027 are as follows: 

  • Wednesday, March 3, 2027, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Wednesday, June 16, 2027, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (In-person TBC)
  • Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2027, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
  • Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2027, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

If interested in either of these committees, Please complete the online application form before Wednesday, September 9 at 11:59PM.

Successful applicants will be notified after member appointments are made by the TransLink Board in December of this year.

DABC Recommendations for BC Budget 2027

June 22, 2026 by DABC

The Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services holds an annual public consultation on the next provincial budget. DABC recently submitted our recommendations for Budget 2027. Read it below or download it: DABC Recommendations for BC Budget 2027.

Learn more about the consultation process here: https://consultation-portal.leg.bc.ca/consultations/195.

Please note that we were only able to submit a maximum of three recommendations.

Budget 2027 Consultation

Disability Alliance BC (DABC) Submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services

Disability Alliance BC (DABC) is a provincial cross-disability charity, advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. The focus of our submission will be on ensuring that the BC Government invest in programs which will improve the financial security of low-income people with disabilities across our province, particularly focused on Disability Assistance, Public Transportation, and Medical Equipment.

Recommendation 1 (300 characters): Indexing Disability Assistance rates to inflation, and removing clawbacks from employment insurance income and spousal income for people on Disability Assistance.

Explanation (2000 characters):

DABC notes the small increase to Disability Assistance made in December 2025 for couples, however overall rates to the support portion of Disability Assistance has not been increased for individuals since 2021. DABC argues that the rate of inflation over the past 5 years has been significant, particularly so for people with disabilities and low income individuals and families. DABC calls upon the BC government to make good on their commitments to poverty reduction as listed on page 34 of the 2024 Poverty Reduction Strategy, specifically: “considering the case for indexing rates to inflation”, and “Considering income exemptions that could stack benefits and help people retain more income – Examples could include changing the rules around spousal income or exempting federal benefits like Employment Insurance from income.”

People on PWD deserve to feel financially secure; they should have reassurance that their PWD income will increase if inflation increases; and they should feel secure in knowing they can access their federal right to Employment Insurance (EI) without having their PWD income clawed back.

EI should be treated as a form of earned income, not unearned income, because workers contribute their employment earnings to EI through a deduction in their pay cheque. Everyone who pays EI premiums can rely on EI benefits being there when they need them, including PWD clients, however the difference is that PWD clients “are required to pursue and accept the other income or means of support,” meaning that they must accept EI if they are eligible, but have no recourse to stop their PWD income from being clawed back. We believe this clawback of EI benefits discriminates against PWD clients, which hinders them from escaping the cycle of poverty.

Recommendation 2: Streamlining the provincial bus pass program for people with disabilities to include HandyDART rides:

Explanation:

DABC calls upon the provincial government to make good on a campaign promise within the BC NDP’s action plan from the 2024 election, namely “Improve transit for people with disabilities by bringing BC’s HandyDART service into government, instead of sub contracting the service to a private company.” DABC wishes to see HandyDART brought within government control not only because it will guarantee greater accountability to the public and the disability community on the state of its operations, but will also pave the way for HandyDART to more easily become integrated into the BC bus pass program, which is available to seniors and people on Disability Assistance.

Transport 2050 states that its goal is “a “fairer and more just and inclusive transportation system that truly delivers on the promise of Access for Everyone.” A more inclusive public transportation system would involve bringing HandyDART into the BC bus pass program so that low income people with disabilities who are unable to navigate conventional public transit would be able to access this much-needed service. Currently, people on Disability Assistance have to pay out of pocket for HandyDART, which we believe is a form of financial exclusion.

Recommendation 3: Establish an Assistive Devices Program in BC

Explanation:

In BC, most financial coverage available for adults for assistive devices is available for people on Disability Assistance only. Aside from Disability Assistance coverage, some people also may qualify for assistive devices through WorkBC if they can establish a work-related barrier due to a disability; however, this still excludes many people with disabilities.

People with disabilities who do not qualify for these two options above are left to purchase expensive medical equipment on their own or to seek out help from non-profits and charities. This creates an inconsistent system of care for people with disabilities in our country, as both Alberta and Ontario have programs that provide this coverage. The Province of Ontario has the Assistive Devices Program, and the Province of Alberta has the Aids to Daily Living Program.

DABC recommends that the BC government follow the lead of other provinces in establishing this support program that is offered to people with disabilities beyond those who receive Disability Assistance. An immediate first step would be to extend eligibility to low income seniors and to people who solely receive CPP-D.

TransLink announces increased HandyDART hours; online booking coming soon

January 6, 2026 by DABC

On January 2nd, TransLink announced the following:

  • Starting January 11th, HandyDART hours will be extended to 2:00 am.
  • Customers can start booking late-night trips on Sunday, January 4.
  • HandyDART dispatch service hours will also be extended and available to answer customer questions until 2 am.
    • Customers can call 604.575.6600 and select option 1 to book an advance trip, or option 3 to speak with a dispatcher.
    • The window to book trips in advance will remain the same (8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a 4 p.m. deadline for next-day service).
  • TransLink has partnered with Spare, a Vancouver-based tech company, to deliver software upgrades that could significantly improve the overall customer experience. The software is currently still in development and will likely launch in 2027.
    • The current HandyDART phone line will remain as a booking option after the software has been introduced. 

DABC is pleased to learn of these positive changes, which will provide HandyDART users with more flexibility and increase their ability to participate in society.

Read TransLink’s media release for more information.