Editor: On June 6, Doug Kelsey, Chief Operating Officer of TransLink, stated: “Although 10,000 hours will be diverted to taxis under this pilot, we expect an overall addition of 7,000 customer trips. Customers receive a trip by taxi only if it is appropriate for their mobility requirements”
Kelsey refers to a misguided attempt to solve an ever-deepening crisis for seniors and disabled people. Trip denials for HandyDart doubled from 2011 to 2013 to over 38,000 denials. TransLink’s pilot project results in the slashing of up to 28 HandyDart jobs and forcing HandyDart riders to ride with undertrained taxi drivers. It is an affront to those who deserve safe public transportation.
Kelsey makes a worrisome statement: “Customers receive a trip by taxi only if it is appropriate for their mobility requirements.”
This means that if the trend of denials doesn’t increase and if 7,000 additional trips are met, there will be over 30,000 denied trips. The only people who will benefit will be those who are deemed with “appropriate mobility requirements,” concentrating the lack of service hours on those with the least ability to speak out.
HandyDart drivers are given extensive training, coaching for incidents and for drive cameras that are installed in every bus. They are also held accountable for their actions through yearly evaluations. Taxi drivers should be given comparable scrutiny but they will not, due to the cost. Those needing HandyDart require drivers with specialized training.
The provincial government continues to give half of the carbon tax to corporations and builds mega-projects that guarantee 30 years of profit, but refuses to provide stable funding for the disabled and senior community. TransLink officials will continue to struggle to meet demands to tighten purse strings, hurting those least able to speak for themselves.
Mark Beeching,
Langley
