HandyDART user housebound after service cut, seeks solution

Tom Cretain, who has spinal muscular atrophy, says he is now housebound after his 28-year HandyDART service was terminated. Cretain, who uses a specialized wheelchair, told Global News that while his story has generated calls from TransLink's CEO and the HandyDART operator Transdev, he hasn't seen much progress in finding a solution.

"Before I spoke to Global News, nobody would talk to me above the people who get to the phones," Cretain said. He described his interactions as "up and down," with representatives seeming engaged one moment and not the next. Cretain's mobility device reportedly exceeds the operating specifications of current HandyDART vehicles and their contracted taxi services.

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It’s kind of up and down. One minute they seem engaging; the next minute they are not.

In response, TransLink announced that a mobility expert will meet with Cretain this week. This expert will assess his specific needs and explore potential short- to medium-term transportation options, including independent providers. TransLink is also considering longer-term changes to HandyDART vehicles, equipment, or operating practices to better accommodate users like Cretain.

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Cretain’s mobility device exceeds the operating specifications of the vehicles and securement equipment currently available through HandyDART and its contracted wheelchair-accessible taxi services.