Getting around Vancouver shouldn’t be limited by mobility challenges or disabilities. HandyDART Vancouver offers reliable, door-to-door accessible transit that connects you to the places and people that matter most. Whether you’re managing a permanent disability, recovering from surgery, or supporting a loved one who needs assistance with public transport, understanding how HandyDART works can transform your daily life.
This comprehensive guide walks you through everything you need to know about Vancouver’s accessible transit system. From eligibility requirements and application processes to booking strategies and fare options, you’ll gain the confidence to navigate this essential service with ease. We’ll also explore how HandyDART integrates with Vancouver’s broader transit network and connects you to healthcare and community resources.
According to Statistics Canada, in 2022, the disability rate for seniors was 40%, an increase of 3 percentage points from 2017, highlighting the growing need for accessible transit solutions. With Vancouver’s aging population continuing to expand, HandyDART serves as a critical bridge between independence and support, enabling thousands of residents to maintain active, connected lives within their communities.
Understanding HandyDART in Vancouver
HandyDART is TransLink’s door-to-door, shared-ride service for people who are unable to navigate conventional public transit without assistance. This specialised service operates throughout Metro Vancouver, providing accessible transportation that goes beyond the limitations of regular buses and SkyTrain services.
HandyDART serves multiple purposes within Vancouver’s transportation ecosystem. Unlike conventional transit that follows fixed routes and schedules, HandyDART operates as a flexible, responsive service designed around individual mobility needs. The service uses specially equipped vehicles that accommodate wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility aids, while trained drivers provide personalised assistance from door to door.
The practical reality of HandyDART means you can travel from your accessible door to your destination’s accessible door, eliminating barriers that might prevent you from using regular public transit. This could mean getting to medical appointments in downtown Vancouver from your home in Burnaby, visiting family in Richmond, or accessing community programs in Surrey. All HandyDART trips are a 1-Zone fare, making it an affordable option regardless of distance travelled within Metro Vancouver.
Current service statistics show robust demand and reliable delivery. In 2024, HandyDART welcomed five per cent more customers and delivered nearly 1.2 million trips. This growth reflects both Vancouver’s aging population and improved service accessibility that encourages more people to maintain their independence.
Eligibility encompasses physical, sensory, and cognitive disabilities that create barriers to using conventional transit. If you have a physical, sensory, or cognitive disability and cannot use conventional public transit without assistance, you may be eligible to use HandyDART. This includes conditions like mobility impairments requiring wheelchairs or walkers, vision or hearing impairments that make navigation difficult, or cognitive conditions that affect understanding of transit systems.
The service recognises that disability experiences vary significantly. Some users might need HandyDART for all trips, while others might use it selectively for specific destinations or during certain times of day. This flexibility acknowledges that many people with disabilities successfully use a combination of accessible services depending on their specific needs and circumstances.
HandyDART Registration and Eligibility Process
Getting registered for HandyDART involves a straightforward application process designed to verify eligibility while respecting your privacy and dignity. To apply to our HandyDART and HandyCard programs, please complete one of our application forms. The process requires collaboration between you and a medical professional to confirm that conventional transit presents genuine barriers.
Required documentation includes your personal information, medical verification, and specific details about how your disability affects transit use. The application form must be completed in two parts: your personal information section and a medical authority section signed by your doctor, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or other qualified healthcare professional.
Medical professionals completing your application need to verify that your condition prevents you from using regular public transit without assistance. This doesn’t mean you need to be completely unable to walk or require constant supervision—many HandyDART users have conditions that make conventional transit challenging or unsafe rather than impossible.
Processing timelines are clearly defined to help you plan ahead. We will process your HandyDART application within 10 days of confirming receipt. This rapid processing acknowledges that transportation needs are often urgent, particularly when health conditions change or you’re transitioning home from hospital stays.
Special provisions exist for various circumstances. As of Sept. 1, 2021, children under 12 years old can apply to register as a HandyDART customer. Children 12 and under who are registered HandyDART customers or children who are accompanied by a registered HandyDART customer are able to travel for free on HandyDART.
Visitor registration accommodates people traveling to Vancouver who need accessible transit during their stay. If you’re visiting Metro Vancouver and have an existing paratransit registration from another city, a simplified visitor application process allows you to access HandyDART services during your stay.
The registration process also includes information about HandyCard, which is a photo-identity card for customers who cannot use the conventional system without assistance. Cardholders are entitled to Concession fares and their attendant travels for free when traveling on buses, SkyTrain, SeaBus, and West Coast Express.
Booking Your HandyDART Trip
The booking process for HandyDART balances advance planning with flexibility to accommodate both scheduled appointments and spontaneous outings. To book or cancel a trip on HandyDART, call 604.575.6600 (local) or 1.844.475.6600 (toll-free). This phone-based system ensures personal service while accommodating various accessibility needs.
Trip types cater to different usage patterns and needs. Regular trips work well for medical appointments, grocery shopping, or social activities that you plan in advance. Subscription trips: repeating trips that are taken to and from the same locations at the same times (on a daily or weekly basis) are particularly valuable for people with regular commitments like dialysis appointments, day programs, or work schedules.
Booking timelines require advance planning while accommodating urgent needs. Most trips should be booked at least one day in advance, though booking several days or weeks ahead increases your likelihood of getting preferred times. For medical appointments or important commitments, booking as soon as you schedule the appointment ensures transportation is secured.
Service hours extend beyond typical business hours to support diverse scheduling needs. Monday to Thursday, 7:00 am to 10:00 pm Friday, 7:00 am to midnight Saturday, 8:00 am to midnight Sunday and holidays, 8:00 am to 10:00 pm. These extended hours recognise that healthcare, social, and personal needs don’t conform to standard schedules.
Booking information you’ll need includes pickup and drop-off addresses, preferred pickup times, return trip details (if applicable), number of passengers, mobility aid requirements, and any special assistance needs. Having this information ready streamlines the booking process and ensures drivers arrive prepared to assist you appropriately.
Online booking represents an exciting development in service accessibility. In addition to the existing telephone booking system, online booking will be introduced, which would give HandyDART customers another convenient way to book their trips. This addition will provide greater flexibility for customers who prefer digital interfaces while maintaining phone booking for those who prefer personal interaction.
Understanding Fares and Payment Options
HandyDART’s fare structure balances affordability with service sustainability, offering multiple payment methods to accommodate different preferences and capabilities. The recent modernisation of payment systems brings HandyDART in line with Vancouver’s broader transit network while maintaining special considerations for accessibility needs.
Current fare structure reflects Vancouver’s commitment to accessible transit. All bus and HandyDART trips are a 1-Zone fare at all times. This simplified structure means you pay the same amount whether you’re traveling across Vancouver or just to the local medical clinic. As of July 1, 2025, fares have increased by an average of 4% to help TransLink continue to provide essential transit services.
Compass Card integration represents a significant improvement in payment convenience. Compass is now available on HandyDART for easier and more convenient payments. With Compass, customers will be able to pay for trips with a Compass Card or by tapping a contactless payment card or mobile wallet. This integration eliminates the need to carry exact change while providing the same discounts available to regular transit users.
Payment method options accommodate various accessibility needs and preferences. You can pay with adult or concession Compass Cards, contactless debit or credit cards, mobile wallet payments, or cash. The variety ensures that payment doesn’t become a barrier to service use.
Discount eligibility provides significant savings for qualifying users. Concession fares apply to seniors (65+), youth (13-18), and people with verified disabilities. These discounted fares recognise the fixed incomes and additional expenses often associated with aging and disability.
Linking your Compass Card with your HandyDART account streamlines billing and improves service quality. This connection also enables seamless transfers between HandyDART and conventional transit when your trip requires both services.
Provincial programs can help offset transit costs for eligible users. The BC Bus Pass Program provides reduced-cost annual passes for low-income seniors and people with disabilities, though BC Bus Pass will not be accepted on HandyDART. However, BC Bus Pass holders can use their passes on conventional transit and obtain separate Compass Cards for HandyDART trips.
Maximising Service Quality and Reliability
Getting the most from HandyDART requires understanding how the system works and developing strategies that align with service capabilities. The shared-ride nature of HandyDART means your experience improves when you work cooperatively with the scheduling and operational systems.
Scheduling strategies can significantly improve your service experience. Booking trips well in advance increases your chances of getting preferred pickup times and reduces the likelihood of schedule disruptions. For medical appointments, book your HandyDART trip immediately after scheduling your appointment to ensure coordination.
Flexible timing accommodates the shared-ride service model while meeting your essential needs. Building buffer time into your schedule—particularly for medical appointments—acknowledges that pickup times may vary slightly and other passengers may need to be served during your trip.
Communication protocols ensure smooth service delivery and problem resolution. Customers that have cell phones should provide HandyDART with their cell phone number and keep their cell phone with them the day of their trip in the event the dispatcher calls. This direct communication channel allows for real-time updates and coordination when schedules change.
Subscription services offer the highest reliability for regular commitments. Setting up subscription trips for recurring appointments, day programs, or work schedules ensures consistent transportation while reducing weekly booking requirements. These scheduled trips receive priority in route planning, improving punctuality and reducing scheduling conflicts.
Weather contingencies are clearly communicated to help you plan around service disruptions. HandyDART operates Essential Service Only levels during severe weather conditions. When HandyDART determines that a service area will be Essential Service Only on a day where you have a scheduled ride, you will receive an automated phone call letting you know your ride has been cancelled.
Service feedback mechanisms allow you to contribute to continuous improvement while addressing specific concerns. If you would like to provide feedback on your HandyDART experience, call 604.575.6600 and press 6 when prompted by the automated menu.
Working with Healthcare Providers and Support Systems
HandyDART integrates seamlessly with Vancouver’s healthcare ecosystem, serving as a crucial link between home and medical care that supports independent living. Understanding how to coordinate HandyDART with healthcare appointments and support services maximises both convenience and health outcomes.
Medical appointment coordination requires strategic planning that accounts for HandyDART’s shared-ride system and healthcare scheduling realities. When booking medical appointments, inform your healthcare provider that you use HandyDART and may need flexible scheduling. Many medical offices understand accessible transit requirements and can accommodate slight timing variations.
Hospital and clinic access throughout Metro Vancouver is well-supported by HandyDART’s comprehensive coverage. HandyDART offers door-to-door service to and from the Vancouver International Airport (YVR), and similar comprehensive service extends to major hospitals, medical centres, and specialist clinics.
Dialysis and recurring treatments benefit significantly from HandyDART’s subscription service model. Regular medical treatments like dialysis, chemotherapy, or physiotherapy can be scheduled as subscription trips, ensuring consistent, reliable transportation that healthcare teams can depend on when planning your care.
Family caregiver support recognises that accessible transit often involves family coordination. HandyDART allows attendants to accompany passengers when needed, and family members can assist with booking and coordination when disabilities affect communication or planning abilities.
Taking Action: Next Steps
Ready to start using HandyDART or improve your current experience? The registration and booking process is straightforward, but taking organised steps ensures smooth access to this essential service.
Begin with eligibility assessment by reviewing your current mobility challenges and discussing HandyDART with your healthcare provider. Your doctor, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, or other qualified medical professional needs to complete part of your application, so starting this conversation early streamlines the process.
Gather required documentation including personal identification, healthcare provider contact information, and specific details about how your condition affects public transit use. Having complete information ready prevents application delays and ensures accurate service matching.
Submit your application using the appropriate form for residents or visitors. If you’re unable to print the application form, we can mail you one — please contact Access Transit Customer Care by calling 604.953.3680.
Plan your first trip by calling the booking line and explaining that you’re a new user who might need additional guidance. Booking agents can provide extra time and explanation to help you understand the process and set realistic expectations for your initial HandyDART experience.
Conclusion
HandyDART Vancouver represents more than transportation—it’s a bridge to independence, community connection, and quality of life for thousands of residents with mobility challenges. Understanding how to access and optimise this service opens doors to medical care, social activities, employment opportunities, and the full richness of Vancouver’s community life.
The service continues evolving with online booking capabilities, improved payment systems, and expanded capacity to meet growing demand. As demand for the service continues to grow, we remain committed to modernising and enhancing this important service, ensuring convenient and reliable access to transit for everyone.
Your journey with HandyDART starts with a single application and first trip, but it opens pathways to maintained independence and community engagement that enhance every aspect of aging with dignity.
Important Disclaimers
Information Accuracy: While we strive to provide current and accurate information about HandyDART Vancouver services, transit policies, fare structures, and eligibility requirements may change. This information was accurate as of August 2025. For the most up-to-date service details, booking procedures, and fare information, please contact TransLink directly at 604.575.6600 or visit translink.ca.
Professional Consultation: The information in this guide is for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical advice or formal eligibility assessments. If you have questions about your eligibility for HandyDART services, transportation needs related to medical conditions, or coordination between transit and healthcare services, please consult with your healthcare provider, occupational therapist, or Access Transit Customer Care at 604.953.3680.
Service Variations: HandyDART service availability, booking timelines, and operational procedures may vary based on current demand, weather conditions, and system capacity. Individual experiences may differ from the general information provided in this guide.
Connect with TheKey for Comprehensive Care Support
Navigating accessible transit is just one aspect of aging successfully at home. If you or a loved one could benefit from professional in-home care that complements your independent lifestyle, TheKey’s team of care experts can help you explore personalised options that support your goals and enhance your quality of life.
Our Canadian client success managers understand the importance of transportation independence and work closely with families to create comprehensive care plans that include coordination with services like HandyDART. From assistance with appointment preparation to accompaniment on important outings, our Balanced Care Method® approach ensures that mobility and transportation needs are integrated into your overall wellbeing strategy.
To learn more about how TheKey can support your aging-at-home journey while maintaining your independence and community connections, contact TheKey today to connect with our care experts. Our team is ready to discuss personalised care solutions that complement Vancouver’s accessible transit systems and support your continued engagement with the community and activities you value most.
