handyDART info
All that's happening with custom transit in Metro Vancouver
handyDART infoAll that's happening with custom transit in Metro Vancouver
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handyDART in Greater Vancouver is currently in a state of crisis. How did this happen and why is it a crisis? For answers to these questions, read the short history and the links to more a detailed accounts of events and documents. History TransLink has contracted handyDART operations in Greater Vancouver and some neighbouring areas. The system was operated under eight contracts roughly corresponding to the various municipalities. Most of the contractors were unionized with one of three unions (CAW, ATU and BCGEU). After a debacle with the City of Vancouver contract held by Pacific Transit Cooperative [click here], TransLink decided to amalgamate the system into three areas with one contract for each, and to centralize registration and reservation functions in a subsidiary instead of including them in the individual contracts [click here]. A Request for Proposals (RFP) was issued for each the three areas: North of Fraser [click here], South of Fraser [click here] and Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadows [click here]. Each RFP had one unique feature; the invitation to propose an alternate service model. There were a number of proposals made for each contract [click here], but only two companies applied for all three areas, neither a current contractor. One of them was selected for all three areas: MVT Canadian, a subsidiary of MVT Transporatation (MVT), a large American company [click here]. TransLink's announcement indicated that a significant reason for this decision was MVT's intention to consolidate all three contract areas into one integrated operation [click here]. TransLink did not disclose its preference for such consolidation to the proponents in the RFP process. Now The selection of MVT has pleased user advocates such as the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities because it promises to provide a single seamless transportation system without boundary transfers. However, the selection of MVT raises a number of questions:
Unfortunately, the answers to all three questions is no. MVT Given the number of experienced handyDART contractors, most of whom have been very successful in providing excellent service within the terms of their contracts, it is surprising that TransLink would select an American company with no prior experience in BC. TransLink stated that MVT "has established a reputation for strong customer service, innovative operations and on-time performance." However, there are troubling reports that contradict that impression. Here are some of what has been reported:
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other organizations onlineTransLink BC Coalition of People with Disabilities Pacific Transit Cooperative 3120 Ventures Ltd. Deltassist Family & Community Services Options: Services to Communities Society Greater Vancouver Community Services Society Semiahmoo House Society D. W. Services Ltd. MV Transportation Inc. Canadian Auto Workers Union Local 114 BC Government & Service Employees' Union Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1724 handydart.org |