Accessible Transit During the Games

TransLink’s entire transit fleet (including buses, SeaBus, SkyTrain and West Coast Express) is 100 per cent accessible to people in wheelchairs, scooters or with other mobility devices. We also have a ‘custom’ door-to-door transit service called “HandyDART” for those who qualify. This service is available to both residents and visitors.

Our transit stations are also accessible, although special services are required in some locations.

Not all road-side bus stops in Metro Vancouver are accessible, but you can check specific locations in advance by checking the schedule for the bus route on TransLink’s online Trip Planner or, if you’re already at a stop, you can call TransLink’s Customer Information Line (604-953-3333) and provide the 5-digit stop number shown on the bus stop sign.

Accessible Shuttle Buses to Games Venues
TransLink will provide accessible shuttle buses for people who can use regular transit, but who can’t walk the longer distance, between transit drop-off points and some Games Venues. Shuttle service is available only to those passengers requiring assistance, or with mobility issues, such as seniors and the physically challenged. 

Vancouver Paralympic Centre (Hillcrest)

• Shuttles will leave from King Edward Station Bay 1 as required, beginning 3 hours before each scheduled event.

• Shuttles will leave the Vancouver Olympic Centre Bay 1 (Dinmont Ave at Nigel Ave) as required for one hour following each scheduled event.

Thunderbird Arena

• Shuttles will leave from UBC Bus Loop Bay 15 as required, beginning 3 hours before each scheduled event.

• Shuttles will leave the Thunderbird Stadium Bay 1 (Agronomy Rd near Westbrook Mall) as required for one hour following each scheduled event.

Help is Always Nearby
Bus operators, SkyTrain Attendants and Transit Police officers are all ready to offer help or to come to your aid. SkyTrain has special telephones, intercoms and silent alarms on platforms and in the trains that you can use if you need assistance.

For more information, visit our Safety and Security page.

On-Board with Mobility Aids
To be allowed on board a transit vehicle, the maximum size of a wheelchair, scooter or other mobility aid, including bumpers, wheel bars and baskets is as follows:

• Length: 122 cm (48 inches)
• Width: 61 cm (24 inches)
• Weight, including rider, passenger, luggage, etc: 364 kg (800 pounds)

You must set the brake on your wheelchair or scooter when on board a bus, SeaBus, West Coast Express or SkyTrain. Each transit vehicle has a spot specifically for your use that other passengers will vacate on request. On most buses, you will be required to use tethers to properly secure your wheelchair or scooter. On SkyTrain, enter via the doors marked with the wheelchair symbol.

For more information on travelling with a Mobility Aid, please visit our Wheelchairs and Mobility Aids page.

Guide Dogs and Assistance Animals
Trained and certified guide dogs and assistance animals are welcome on all of TransLink’s transit services. Please ensure they have the proper harness and that you carry proof of their certification.

Personal Attendants
If you require the help of a personal attendant, that person does not need to pay a fare to accompany you on transit.

HandyDART
TransLink’s HandyDART service provides door-to-door service for people with physical or cognitive disabilities who cannot use regular transit without assistance. Those eligible to use HandyDART book their trips in advance – reservations can be made from one to seven days in advance of your travel date and trips are provided starting at 6 a.m. with final drop-offs by midnight.

Visitors wishing to use HandyDART are asked to fill out our Paralympic Visitor Application Form.

Residents can sign up for HandyDART by printing and filling out the General Application Form or by contacting TransLink’s Access Transit office at 778.452.2860. 

Please note: During the Games, there will be an increase in the demand for HandyDART services. Plan your travel and book well in advance whenever possible.

For more information, please visit our HandyDART page.