Today's Langley Advance newspaper carries an article by Matthew Claxton about TransLink's plans to expand the HandyDART system. Unfortunately the new 3 zone system that will replace the current 7 zone scheme will not commence until January, 2009.
With this new zones in place, a senior or disabled person in Langley can now get to South Surrey, White Rock, North Surrey, Delta and Richmond without complicated transfers. In the past they would only be able to access service to South Surrey and White Rock without complicated delays.
The door-to-door HandyDART service helps provide public transit options for people with physical and developmental disabilities. It helps them stay connected to family and friends, or just to get to doctor appointments. According to 2007 figures there are 340 HandyDART buses in the Lower Mainland and 19,604 registered users. Last year there were 1,302,461 trips made on this system.
South Fraser OnTrax applauds TransLink's efforts to enhance this vital transit option that serves the most vulnerable in our community. We fully support efficient transit options for the disabled and seniors, and hope systems like this will expand rapidly. Apparently TransLink was able to secure a new vendor to run the HandyDART program and this new company will improve management and logistical efficiencies. Sounds like a win-win to us!
No comments:
Post a Comment