Provides information regarding the Vancouver Regional Transit System:
buses, Seabus, and Skytrain. For lost property call 682-7887. For West
Vancouver bus information call 985-7777.
Taxi Savers are coupons that eligible individuals may purchase and use
for reduced taxi fare. This program is available to individuals who are
registered with, or eligible for handyDART, and who have a handyPass (a
photo identification card issued by BC Transit). A person is eligible for
handyDART if he or she has a physical or mental disability which prevents
the use of regular public transit without assistance. A person with a handyPass
may purchase up to two booklets of Taxi Savers at a time from their ;local
HandyDART operator; a booklet contains $40 worth of Taxi Savers but costs
$20. They can then phone the taxi company of their choice for service,
without having to pre-book rides. To obtain an application form for a handyPass
or for more information about the Taxi Saver Program, call BC Transit at
the above number.
Anyone with a disability may register for a BC Transit HandyPass. It is a photo identity card that entitles the registered user to concession fares throughout the system.
HandyPass also identifies a person who may wish to be accompanied by an attendant some or all of the time. One attendant accompanying each registered HandyPass user can travel free. Persons accompanying all other concession pass holders must pay regular fares.
There is no cost for a HandyPass card. Applicants only pay for the cost
of two passport-size photos required with the application form.
The Custom Transit System in British Columbia, called HandyDART, offers specialized transportation service for people with disabilities. It is available to anyone, regardless of age or income, who is unable to use the regular bus service without assistance. BC Transit is responsible for major funding, capital expenditures, planning, and administering the system.
Several independent organizations (see below) provide the service under annual contracts with BC Transit. The operating agencies serve designated areas in the Vancouver region and offer varying hours of service. Most operators require customers to book trips at least two days in advance. All operators require customers to be registered HandyDART users and pay the fares set by the Vancouver Regional Transit Commission.
Persons wishing to use HandyDART must first register with the HandyDART operator in their area and may be requested to complete an Eligibility Verification Form. HandyDART offers two types of service; passengers can book subscription trips for trips that recur at the same time on a daily or weekly basis, or casual trips for onetime service. Due to heavy demand, not all requested trips can be accommodated. The Taxi Saver program, which supplements HandyDART, is described elsewhere in this chapter.
Fares are $1.35, $2.00, and $2.50 depending on the number of zone boundaries crossed per trip. The nine zones correspond to the municipal areas of Vancouver; North Shore; Burnaby/Coquitlam/New Westminster/Port Coquitlam/Port Moody; Richmond; Delta; Surrey; Langley; White Rock/South Surrey; and Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows. To register or book trips passengers must phone the HandyDART operator in the area in which they live.
The following HandyDART operators are listed alphabetically according to the municipalities they serve:
HandyDART Burnaby/New Westminster/Tri-City
Greater Vancouver Community Services Society.
102-317 Columbia Street, New Westminster BC V3L 3W8
Phone 524-3655 Fax 524-3651
HandyDART Delta
Deltassist Community Services Society
11425-84th Avenue, Delta BC V4C 2L9
Phone 596-1777 Fax 594-3496
HandyDART Langley
White Rock Community Aid-Society
17567-55B Avenue, Surrey BC V3S 5V2
Phone 576-1167 Fax 574-8833
HandyDART Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows
D-W Services Ltd.
9450-287th Street, Maple Ridge BC V2W 1L1
Phone 462-8522
HandyDART North Shore
3120 Ventures Ltd.
206-2609 Westview Drive, North Vancouver BC V7N 4M2
Dispatch 980-3691 Fax 980-1899
HandyDART Richmond
Greater Vancouver Community Services Society
325-7000 Minoru Boulevard, Richmond BC V6Y 3Z5
Phone 279-7090 Fax 279-7098
HandyDART Surrey
OPTIONS: Services to Communities Society
13455 72nd Avenue, Surrey BC V3W 2N7
Bookings 591-8234 Information 591-3346 Cancellation 591-2655 Fax 591-2655
HandyDART Vancouver
Pacific Transit Cooperative
Champlain Mall 300-3200 East 54th Avenue, Vancouver BC V5S 3T8
Bookings 430-2692 Information & Office 430-2742
Cancellations & Dispatch 430-2892 Fax 432-1683
HandyLINE
Computerized telephone booking service for HandyDART. Provides a free information, booking and cancellation service, as well as general information about the HandyDART program. Serves Vancouver residents. Operates 24 hours a day. Callers to HandyLINE must have a touch-tone phone. Phone 433-5995
HandyDART White Rock/South Surrey
White Rock Community Aid Society
17567-55B Avenue, Surrey BC V3S 5V2
Phone 576-6653 Fax 574-8833
The Driver Rehab Centre provides virtually all of the services that a person with a disability needs to learn to operate a motor vehicle. It provides Physical Driver Assessments; Computerized Driver Assessments; On-Road Assessments; Vehicle Assessments (assistance in selecting an appropriate vehicle, adaptive equipment and modifications); Driving Lessons; and if necessary, Physiatrist Consultation.
There are charges for the Driver Rehabilitation Centre's services, and
a physician's referral is necessary.
A registered owner or lessee of a vehicle ( a private passenger car, light commercial vehicle, collector vehicle, motorhome or motorcycle), who has a disability is eligible for a 25% reduction on insurance premiums if he/she is the principle operator; holds a valid BC driver's licence; and qualifies for the Provincial Gas Rebate. Senior citizens with a disability who qualify may receive both the Senior Citizen's discount, which is 25% and the Driver with a Disability discount.
To obtain the discount(s), contact your Autoplan broker and present your current proof of licence and insurance (owner's certificate of insurance, vehicle licence and registration) and one of the following documents:
1. A letter from your doctor confirming your complete and permanent disability; or
2. A letter from BC Ministry of Social Services stating that you are in receipt of Disability Benefits and the date you were first eligible; or
3. A letter from Workers' Compensation Board (WCB) stating that you are in receipt of the disability pension and the date you were first eligible; or
4. A letter from the Consumer Taxation Branch of the BC government stating' your eligibility for the Provincial Gasoline Tax Rebate.
If it is determined that you were qualified to receive this discount
prior to your application, ICBC will adjust your autoplan premiums back
to the date of your eligibility and send you a refund. This discount can
only be applied to one vehicle. For more information, contact the ICBC
claims office nearest you, listed in the phone book.
The Federal Government offers a rebate on the tax for gasoline used to transport a person with a permanent disability. A refund is made on gasoline for personal use for persons with a physical disability who have been certified by a qualified medical practitioner as having a permanent disability of movement to an extent that the use of public transportation would be unsafe.
Proof of purchase must include the name of the supplier, buyer, date
bought and quantity and price of gas bought in volume and dollars. Receipts
made out to cash are not acceptable as proof of purchase. Do not send receipts
and/or other supporting documents with your claim. Refund claims for less
than $200 should cover the period ending either June 30 or December 31,
and may be made any time after the end of that period (e.g., a claim for
$150 covering the period January 1 to June 30, should be completed as soon
as possible after June 30). Refunds for $200 or more may be submitted at
any time, on a once-a-month basis, and must be filed within 2 years of
purchase. For more information, contact the above address.
MOHAWK GASOLINE REBATE PROGRAM
Phone (604) 293-7125 or 1-800-667-4247
Mohawk Oil Company Limited has a program enabling drivers with mobility impairments to receive full service at the self serve price. At split serve Mohawk retail outlets customers have a choice to drive up to the self-serve pump or the full-serve pump. The company recognizes that most drivers with mobility impairments do not have that choice.
The applicant must have a valid drivers license, have a mobility impairment and be a member of a registered disability organization. If the applicant is not a member of one of these organizations, they can have a doctor complete and sign the back of the application form. For applications, call (604)-293-7125 or the customer service line at 1-800-667-4247
Serve Rebate customer file number. The customer will save the receipts
from split serve stations that have an up charge for full service and send
them to Mohawk approximately every six months, along with your customer
file number. The customer must be the operator of the vehicle with the
license plate matching the file. Receipts will be accumulated and Mohawk
gift certificates will be issued. Mohawk credit card holders have the choice
of the certificates or a credit issued to their card account. Mohawk customer
service representatives will also purchase groceries and other items for
you as well, to make your visit to the station satisfying and convenient.
PROVINCIAL GASOLINE TAX REBATE
Director, Consumer Taxation Branch
Victoria BC V8V 2L9
Phone 660-4524 (Vancouver)
Persons unable to use public transportation due to a disability are eligible for a rebate of tax paid on the purchases of fuel used to operate a motor vehicle. To be eligible for this rebate, the applicant must own or lease a car, which must be registered under the name of the person with the disability, whether he/she drives it himself/herself, or someone else drives for him. Under this program, the full amount of provincial gas tax paid on purchases of fuel is eligible for rebate.
Applicants are required to return with their application forms, a doctor's verification of the disability, a photocopy of vehicle registration and a letter from MSS or WCB confirming receipt of the BC Disability Benefits program. Submit a completed claim form together with matching fuel invoices or receipts as evidence of purchase to the above address. Retain invoices until a refundable amount of $10 or more has accumulated. Claims for refunds of tax paid must be made within 6 years from the date of purchase and must be signed by the claimant.
A letter will be issued to eligible applicants which may be taken to
an ICBC insurance agent to obtain the 25% discount on your vehicle premium.
For more information, contact your nearest Consumer Taxation Branch office
listed in your phone book.
Enforceable, plastic placards with permit number and international symbol of access are distributed to people with disabilities, and agencies transporting people with disabilities, so that they may park in designated spaces. Individuals must complete an application form and have it signed by a doctor.
Application forms are also available through the BC Coalition of People
with Disabilities, the BC Paraplegic Association, and the Multiple Sclerosis
Society. *
Upon presentation of a BC Ferry Corporation identification card or acceptable proof of disability, a person with a permanent disability will travel for one half of the regular passenger fare. Attendants required by persons with a disability for the purpose of travel will also pay one-half of the regular passenger fare. This special rate is applicable 7 days a week, year round, to passengers only. Regular fare must be paid for vehicles.
Identification of status of disability can be obtained by making an application, accompanied by a written confirmation of the permanent disability and necessity for assistance in order to travel, from a doctor or suitable authority.
Specially designed and equipped washrooms for persons with a disability are available on all major vessels. If travelling by car and requiring the use on an elevator, inform the ticket agent, who will advise the loading crew to give you special boarding instructions so that your vehicle can be parked close to an elevator.
Organized groups of individuals with a disability travelling with escorts
can obtain the special reduction by presenting a letter of confirmation
on the organization letterhead, from the Director or whoever is in charge
of the organization. The letter should include date of travel and number
of people involved. This form of identification is presented to the ticket
agent at the time of travel. The letter should be retained for the return
trip.
The Office for Disability Issues (ODI) has been working closely with
Pacific Coach Lines (PCL) to develop an accessible service for passengers
with disabilities (who use wheelchairs or scooters) who are traveling between
Victoria and Vancouver. Up until now, those passengers have been unable
to utilize the present service unless they were able to transfer onto a
regular coach. PCL is aiming towards providing modified accessible coaches
in the future but for now, as of January 1998, are providing an accessible
taxi service to supplement its current coach service. The cost of this
service is identical to the coach service.
CANADIAN AIRLINES INTERNATIONAL
Reservation and Information Office 279-6611
Both Air Canada and Canadian Airlines International offer similar services. For passengers requiring an attendant to travel with them, the attendant is eligible for a 50% discount on all regular North American (Canada & transborder U.S.) flights on Air Canada, and flights within Canada on Canadian Airlines International. An attendant has to meet required qualifications determined by the airline, and must accompany the passenger with a disability on all flight legs.
Transport Canada has requested the Airlines to permit the attendant to travel free of charge. This has not been implemented to this date.
When making reservations, the passenger with a disability must specify that he/she requires the services of a personal attendant. Air Canada requires the passenger's physician to contact the Air Canada reservation office and answer a medical clearance questionnaire for Air Canada's medical department. Canadian Airlines requires their Form 243 to be completed.
You are advised to make your reservations and needs known n to your
travel agent well in advance, as there is usually a limit to the number
of persons with a disability who can be accommodated on each flight for
safety reasons. Contact your travel agent or the airline office for more
information, reservations and/or necessary forms.
Allows a person with a permanent disability to be accompanied by an adult attendant for a single fare on any of the participating Canadian motor coach operators, Canadian Pacific and Canadian National Railways. Certificate of Eligibility forms may be obtained from the BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities, Kinsmen Rehabilitation Foundation or Cerebral Palsy Association of BC. Applications, completed by your attending doctor, should be mailed to the issuing office. Upon approval of the Certificate of Eligibility by CRCD or one of its designated affiliates, a Person with a disability Identification Card will be issued authorizing the Reduced
Fare Party Ticket to eligible applicants. For more information, contact
the above address, Kinsmen Rehabilitation Foundation at 736-8841 or the
Cerebral Palsy Association of BC at 205-9455.
Greyhound allows people with disabilities and their attendant to ride
together for the price of one ticket. This applies only on regular fares,
not specials. Most depots have accessible washroom facilities and attendants
to assist people in wheelchairs. Greyhound suggests you call their information
line to check. Drivers will assist 'people in wheelchairs to get on and
off the buses, and with loading/unloading of luggage.
The travelling companion of a person with a disability can travel free. A medical certificate is required, and advance reservations are necessary. The companion is responsible for the care and personal needs of the person with a disability while en route.
When reserving tickets, passengers should make clear what services will be needed; e.g., manual lifting on and off the train, pre-boarding, etc.
All Via Rail trains, except the Victoria-Courtenay line, are fully wheelchair accessible.
Stretchers can be accommodated if advance notice is provided.
The National Transportation Agency of Canada is available to hear about
problems or obstacles that come your way while visiting parts of Canada
because planes, trains, or ferries are inaccessible. The agency is responsible
for enforcing the rights of travellers with disabilities to fair access
to transportation which falls under federal authority. For information,
call collect or write to the above address.
Designed to reduce the costs of long-distance travel for British Columbians
who must leave home for non-emergency medical services. When such travel
is necessary, your physician should contact MSP to find out the nearest
treatment centre and verify your eligibility for TAP. He or she should
then provide you with a completed Travel Assistance form. It is your responsibility
to make your own travel and accommodation arrangements.