VICTORIA – New  Democrats took the Liberal government to task on the decision by TransLink to cut the TaxiSaver program in Metro Vancouver which will affect seniors and people with disabilities who rely on the service for essential transportation needs. The TaxiSaver program allows registered HandyDART users to obtain coupons which provide them a 50% discount on taxis.

New Democrat transportation critic Harry Bains raised the issue in the B.C. legislature this week in response to TransLink’s announcement that it will phase out its TaxiSaver program, which has been in place for more than 20 years.

“The TaxiSaver program and the HandyDART service allow people with disabilities to get around. Even before this announcement, people with disabilities and advocacy groups were on record saying they were experiencing long waits for rides to things like attending medical appointments and fulfilling their daily needs.”

Bains said government must advocate to protect the TaxiSaver program, along with improving the HandyDART service to meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable members of our society. He asked the government to take action to ensure people with mobility problems are not prevented from traveling due to cuts to the program.

Katrine Conroy, New Democrat senior’s critic, questioned the government’s decision to allow this valuable program to be scrapped when it means so much to seniors and people with disabilities.

“Minister Lekstrom must take specific action to stop the cuts to TaxiSaver," said Conroy.

Adrian Dix and B.C.'s New Democrats are committed to a fair and accessible transportation system for all seniors and people with disabilities.

Harry Bains

Surrey-Newton

Harry Bains was re-elected as the MLA for Surrey-Newton in May 2013. He was first elected in May 2005 and re-elected in May 2009.

Katrine Conroy

Kootenay West

Katrine Conroy was elected as the MLA for Kootenay West in May 2009 and re-elected in May 2013.