Need for a third custom transit service (handyDART) bus to meet the needs of an aging population was identified in a recent transportation service review conducted by BC Transit.
City of Powell River Mayor Dave Formosa operates both handyDART and paratransit through Powell River Taxi, and said they could even use a fourth vehicle to meet demand.
Formosa’s involvement began when he was approached by Geraldine Braak, from Powell River Model Community Project, and Susan Jersak. Both expressed a need to bring handyDART and paratransit services to Powell River before such a service really existed. At the time when he was approached, Formosa was a former school bus driver and owner of a taxi service. He was running a wheelchair-accessible van, but there were many challenges that came with it. “I could see the need for the service in the community,” he said. “There were many people who essentially couldn’t get out of their homes even to accomplish basic necessities. Despite cost, mechanical issues, and expensive equipment upkeep, I insisted the van stay on the road. I was approached by Susan and Geraldine with the idea of expanding the taxi business to incorporate paratransit and handyDART.” Formosa said the notion fit perfectly with the company business model.
“Since we acquired it, the service has been one of the most efficiently run custom transportation services in the province,” he said.
Councillor Chris McNaughton has been using the service on a regular basis after suffering a stroke in August 2013. “I can tell you every street that needs to be paved in Powell River,” McNaughton said of the many times he’s used the service.
“There is a misunderstanding among officials in the city that paratransit is the same as handyDART service,” he said. “But they are quite different.”
When he was well enough to start getting around, McNaughton first called on paratransit and was told he would need to navigate from his house to the roadside at the top of the driveway. “The manager came and inspected my driveway and it was concluded that handyDART was a better fit for my needs,” he explained. “It’s a custom door-to-door service, whereas paratransit is somewhat limited for people who need assistance in getting around.”
McNaughton explained that paratransit service operates similar to conventional bus service, running on a defined route and defined schedule. Limited door-to-door pickup or drop-off may be available for passengers with mobility difficulties. “BC Transit is the principal behind the public transportation system,” McNaughton said. “Its partners are City of Powell River, which helps fund the handyDART system, and [Powell River] Regional District, which helps to fund the paratransit system.”
In a transit service review key stakeholder workshop report, BC Transit stated that fixed-route transit has doubled in ridership over recent years, from approximately 107,000 rides in 2001 to 2002, to 216,000 rides in 2012 to 2013.
Formosa established custom transit (handyDART) service in 2001, with ridership growing from approximately 7,000 rides in 2004 to 2005, to 10,000 rides in 2012 to 2013. Rural paratransit, which commenced that same year, has also seen steady ridership growth over the same period, running from approximately 5,000 rides to 9,000 rides.
Operating costs of the paratransit system is shared between Powell River Regional District, which covers 43.31 per cent, or $49,000 annually, and BC Transit, which covers 56.69 per cent, or $64,000.
The report revealed that accessible handyDART minibuses are equipped with lifts to accommodate passengers with mobility difficulties. Passengers must first register for the service and pre-book their travel. The system provides both a regular subscription service for people who travel regularly to medical or therapy appointments, as well as one-time trips to meet basic needs.
More information about using handyDART around Powell River is available on BC Transit’s website.
