Seniors, the disabled, and advocates for these groups breathed a collective sigh of relief this week after TransLink reversed its decision to scrap the TaxiSaver program.
TransLink announced July 11 that after several weeks of public discussion, it was obvious the subsidized program "provides a valuable service to those in need, and is integral to making the transit system accessible for them."
In May, officials announced the program
that provided a 50 per cent subsidy for taxi fares would end as of June, 2013, in order to save about $1.1 million per year for the next three years. The money was to be put towards increased HandyDart service.
The TaxiSaver service provides users with $100 worth of taxi coupons per month, with the user paying half the cost and TransLink covering the other half. The program for those with cognitive or physical
disabilities has been running for 20 years and was going to be phased out beginning in August and ending by June 2013.
"We thought by re-allocating resources to HandyDart we could meet the unmet needs of folks," said TransLink board chairwoman Nancy Olewiler. "I regret any angst we have caused for people who were fearful their program would not continue; that they would not have the access they did (before). That was certainly never the intent. We were trying to improve service."
Demand for the HandyDart service, which provides transportation for those who are unable to take public transit, is so high that many users are often unable to schedule a ride when they need one. The move to eliminate the TaxiSaver was with the intention of redirecting funds towards the HandyDart program, thereby increasing access to this service.
After an outcry from TaxiSaver users and advocacy groups for the disabled and elderly, including a flood of letters, phone calls and email, the TransLink board held forums to take suggestions on the matter. The overwhelming response from the public was to keep the TaxiSaver program in place.
While HandyDart service must be booked in advance, a taxi can be called on at any time, allowing TaxiSaver users to have more independence and flexibility for transportation, they argued.
Many users of both services have medical conditions that require them to make trips to a hospital or doctor's office on short notice.
Elsie Dean, a seniors advocate on the board of the 411 Seniors Centre Society and a member of the Voices of Burnaby Seniors Taskforce roundtable, said the large crowd at a City Hall meeting in Vancouver on July 12 were "very upbeat," after it was confirmed the TaxiSaver program will continue.
Dean noted there was still criticism from advocacy groups at the meeting who want to see "more attention (given) to the public," but that, overall, people were satisfied with the outcome.
"TransLink apologized and said they had made a mistake, and everybody was pleased that they had admitted they had made a mistake," she said.
