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HandyDART

A man exiting a HandyDART vehicle while the driver is standing by for support.

HandyDART is TransLink's door-to-door, shared-ride service for people who are unable to navigate conventional public transit without assistance. For information about HandyDART, read the contents on this page or download the HandyDART Rider's Guide.

Registering for HandyDART and HandyCard

To apply to our HandyDART and HandyCard programs, please complete one of our application forms.

HandyDART Eligibility

If you have a physical, sensory, or cognitive disability and cannot use conventional public transit without assistance, you may be eligible to use HandyDART.

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 without requiring a fare product or identification. 

HandyCard

HandyCard 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.

HandyCard holders are also eligible to purchase and use TaxiSavers, which are half-priced coupons for use as payment with participating taxi companies.

Submitting Your Form

  • Before filling out the form, please review the form and eligibility requirements.

  • Make sure you have all your personal information available including your date of birth, home address, doctor's name, and phone number.

  • This form must be printed and signed by both the applicant and a medical authority.

  • 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.

Application Forms

If you’re a resident of Metro Vancouver, please complete the following form:

HandyDART and HandyCard Application Form

We will process your HandyDART application within 10 days of confirming receipt. Allow 4 to 6 weeks processing time for a HandyCard to use on our conventional transit system.

Visiting Vancouver

If you’re planning to visit Metro Vancouver and wish to use the paratransit system while you’re here, please complete the following form:

HandyDART Visitor Application Form

Paying for HandyDART

All HandyDART trips are a 1-Zone fare. Accepted payment methods include:

  • Adult or Concession Compass Cards. Cards can be loaded with:

    • Stored Value

    • DayPass

    • Monthly Pass

  • Tap to Pay (e.g., Interac Debit or credit card) (charges Adult cash fare only)

  • Mobile wallet (e.g., Apple Pay or Google Pay) (charges Adult cash fare only)

  • Exact Cash (Please note that drivers don’t carry change)

  • Adult FareSaver Tickets

  • Adult Monthly Passes

  • FareSavers (the sale of FareSavers ended on November 15, 2021. Previously purchased FareSavers will be accepted as fare payment indefinitely)

HandyCard

HandyCard fares are valid only on conventional transit and cannot be used on HandyDART.

HandyDART Fares

HandyDART fares now match those on bus, SeaBus, and SkyTrain, making it easier for you to use all these services.

This change brings Concession fares to HandyDART, meaning HandyDART customers aged 13 to 18 and 65 and over now pay less in fares and the rest pay the same.

Fare Products

Age Fare Type Cost
Adult (19-64) 1-Zone Cash $3.15
1-Zone Monthly Pass on Compass Card $104.90
1-Zone Stored Value on Compass Card $2.55
Concession (13 to 18 and 65+)
 1-Zone Cash $2.10
1-Zone Stored Value on Compass Card $2.10
Monthly Pass on Compass Cards* $59.95
For simplicity, additional fares types, such as DayPasses, are not shown.
*Monthly Pass allows travel through all zones.

Where to Buy

With the introduction of Compass on HandyDART, Monthly Passes must be purchased through regular Compass channels.

Adult FareSavers will be sold until Nov. 15, 2021. FareSavers do not expire and will be accepted for travel indefinitely.


Compass on HandyDART

You can now use Compass on HandyDART for easier and more convenient payments! With Compass, you can pay for trips with a Compass Card or by tapping a contactless payment card or mobile wallet.

Compass Cards are reloadable farecards that can be used when taking transit within the region. They can be loaded with Stored Value or with prepaid passes like a Monthly Pass or a DayPass. When paying with Stored Value, you will receive the same discount as using FareSavers.

There are four steps to get set up. Make sure you complete each step to get the most out of your Compass Card! You can also refer to the HandyDART Compass Quick Start Guide with instructions in English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Punjabi.

We’re here to help!

  • Learn more by downloading and reading the Compass on HandyDART Brochure.

  • Call Compass Customer Service at 604.398.2042 if you need help at any point (7 days a week from 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.).

  • Visit us in-person at the TransLink Customer Service Centre at Waterfront Station (Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Setting up Your Compass Card

Step 1: Purchase a refundable Compass Card

There are many options to get your Compass Card — choose the one that works best for you! When you get a Compass Card, you’ll pay a $6 refundable deposit.

  • Get a blue Adult card if you are 19 to 64.

  • Get an orange Concession card for age-based discounts on HandyDART if you are 13 to 18 or 65 and over.

  • As of Sept. 1, 2021, children aged 12 and under can ride TransLink services, including HandyDART, free of charge. Learn more on the Fare Pricing and Zones page.

Concession cards can be purchased by phone, online, or at Compass Retailers. They are not available at Compass Vending Machines.

From Home:

In-person:

  • Visit the TransLink Customer Service Centre at Waterfront Station.

  • One of many Compass Retailer locations.

  • Compass Vending Machines located at all SkyTrain, SeaBus, West Coast Express stations, and 18 London Drugs locations (adult Compass Cards only).

Payment options:

  • Credit cards and branded debit cards are accepted for payment at all locations and options.

  • Cash payments are accepted at the TransLink Customer Service Centre, Compass Retailer locations, and Compass Vending Machines.

  • Please call us at 604.398.2042 if you would like to pay by cheque or visit the TransLink Customer Service Centre at Waterfront Station.

Step 2: Register your Compass Card

Registering your Compass Card allows you to access benefits such as AutoLoad for automatic balance top-ups and Balance Protection if your card is lost or stolen. Once reported lost or stolen, your balance is frozen and can be transferred to a new card or refunded upon request.

How to register:

Step 3: Add Stored Value and Set up AutoLoad

Add Stored Value to your Compass Card, which is just like having cash on your card. Paying with Stored Value gives you the same rate as FareSavers.

Never worry about your balance running low or rushing to buy next month’s pass. With AutoLoad, you can set automatic top-ups when your Stored Value balance drops below five dollars and Monthly Pass renewals.

How to add funds:

  • Call Compass Customer Service at 604.398.2042

  • Online at compasscard.ca once you sign in

  • Visit the TransLink Customer Service Centre at Waterfront Station

Payment options:

  • Credit cards and branded debit cards are accepted for payment at all locations and options.

  • Cash payments are accepted at the TransLink Customer Service Centre, Compass Retailer locations, and Compass Vending Machines.

  • Please call us at 604.398.2042 if you would like to pay by cheque or visit the TransLink Customer Service Centre at Waterfront Station.

Step 4: Link your Compass Card and HandyDART account

Linking your Compass Card with your HandyDART account allows the customer service team to better serve you and ensures accurate billing.

Please have your Compass Card ready and call Access Transit Customer Care at 604.953.3680.

More information

If you have HandyCard, BC Bus Pass, CNIB Pass, or U-Pass BC

If you have a HandyCard and are 19 to 64 years of age.

If you use both HandyDART and conventional transit, you will need to get two regular Compass Cards to get the lowest fare. Use an orange Concession card on conventional transit and a blue Adult card for HandyDART trips. If you transfer, always tap your blue Adult card throughout your journey to get the lowest fare.

BC Bus Pass will not be accepted on HandyDART.

Please continue using your BC Bus Pass on bus, SeaBus, and SkyTrain and get a regular Compass Card based on your age for use on HandyDART trips.

CNIB Card will not be accepted on HandyDART.

Please continue using your CNIB pass on bus, SeaBus, SkyTrain, and West Coast Express and get a regular Compass Card based on your age for HandyDART trips.

U-Pass BC is accepted on HandyDART with no extra charge.

Please Link your Compass Card with your HandyDART account. This will allow the customer service team to better serve you and ensures accurate billing. Please have your Compass Card ready and call Access Transit Customer Care at 604.953.3680.

HandyDART trips delivered by taxis

You do not need to tap your Compass Card for HandyDART trips delivered by taxis. The cost of a trip is the same as a HandyDART vehicle and will be deducted from your Compass account. Your balance will be updated the next day you tap your Compass Card on a card reader (on HandyDART, bus, fare gate, or Compass Vending Machine).

If you prefer, you can pay your fare with cash or credit card.

Booking and Preparing for Your Ride

HandyDART offers two types of service:

  • Subscription trips: repeating trips that are taken to and from the same locations at the same times (on a daily or weekly basis)

  • Casual trips: trips taken on a one-time basis

To book or cancel a trip on HandyDART, call 604.575.6600 (local) or 1.844.475.6600 (toll-free). Please specify whether it will be a subscription trip or a casual trip.

You can book your trip up to seven days in advance, and up until 4 p.m. the day before your trip. Keep in mind that our HandyDART shuttles experience rush hour demand just like any other mode of transportation — the earlier you can book a rush hour trip, the better.

Taxi Supplement

If a HandyDART is unavailable for your requested trip, our service provider will supplement your trip with a taxi.

Customers who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing

For customers who are deaf or hard of hearing and unable to use a TeleTypeWriter, to discuss alternative booking options please contact us.

  • E-mail: handydartfeedback@translink.ca 

  • Mail: Coast Mountain Bus Company, Access Transit Department, 400-287 Nelson’s Court, New Westminster, BC, V3L 0E7

Preparing for Your Trip

Day Before Your Trip

You will receive an automated phone call to remind you of your trip.

Day of Your Trip

We will call you shortly before your ride arrives. To avoid delays, please be ready 15 minutes before your scheduled pickup time.

If your driver hasn't arrived 15 minutes after your scheduled time, call HandyDART at 604.575.6600 (local) or 1.844.475.6600 (toll-free) and press the number three for "Where's My Ride" information.

Cancelling Your Trip

We understand that you may need to cancel your trips and require a minimum of two hours' notice. To give other riders an opportunity to make a trip, please let us know you won’t need your scheduled ride as soon as possible by calling 604.575.6600 (local) or 1.844.475.6600 (toll-free).

Door-to-door Service

For your safety, your HandyDART driver will escort you from the door at the start of your trip to the door at your final destination. Please note, your HandyDART driver cannot take you past the front door of a building. If you need extra assistance beyond the accessible outside door, we encourage you to travel with an attendant.

HandyDART Restrictions

Your mobility aid must be clean, in good working order, and adhere to the following dimension* and weight restrictions:

  • Length: 122 cm (48 in.)

  • Width: 94 cm (37 in.)

  • Weight: 250 kg (550 lbs.)**

* These dimensions include all add-ons such as bumpers, wheelbars, and baskets. ** Please note that this combined weight includes the transit rider and mobility aid.

If the customer can safely ride up the lift independently, the combined weight of the customer and the mobility device must not exceed 360 kg (800 lbs).

Anyone with a mobility device exceeding these measurements may be refused transportation. If you have any concerns about your mobility device meeting these standards, please check with HandyDART Customer Service at 604.575.6600, option 5, prior to booking your trip.

Additionally, we cannot accommodate lightweight transport wheelchairs as they cannot be properly and safely secured on HandyDART.

Transfer chairs are designed for transferring people short distances over smooth surfaces, and mainly indoors. The main difference between a standard wheelchair and transfer chairs is that standard wheelchairs are designed with large wheels so that the user can self-propel, while transfer chairs have small wheels and are designed to be pushed from behind by someone else.

These chairs are not accepted for transporting customers on HandyDART vehicles or to and from the vehicles as they do not meet safety approvals.

Guide and Service dogs certified by the British Columbia Guide and Service Dog Act are allowed on HandyDART vehicles at all times. They must be under the control of the handler. You may need to produce your Guide or Service Dog Certificate.

Please keep in mind that pets are never allowed on HandyDART vehicles.

Please only bring belongings with you that you can comfortably carry yourself (two bags maximum). HandyDART drivers are not expected to carry parcels. If you're unable to carry your bags or parcels by yourself, we encourage you to travel with an attendant.

In situations where weather poses a safety concern (e.g., heavy snowfall), HandyDART may reduce the level of service delivery to Essential Service Only — providing transportation only for those attending renal dialysis appointments or cancer treatment.

All other booked rides in the area affected by the severe weather conditions will be automatically cancelled when Essential Service Only levels are invoked.

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.

In the event of anticipated severe weather conditions, you can determine if HandyDART is operating at Essential Service Only levels by calling 604.575.6600 or by visiting TransLink Alerts.

Have Questions?

Visit the HandyDART FAQ page for more details about this service.

Go to FAQs

HandyDART YVR Airport Pick-up/Drop-off

HandyDART offers door-to-door service to and from the Vancouver International Airport (YVR). Plan your trip by reviewing our HandyDART Pick-up/Drop-off Map.

Contact Us

General Inquiries

For general questions about HandyDART, HandyCard, or the Access Transit program, call us at 604.953.3680 (Access Transit Customer Care)

Operating Hours

Monday to Saturday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. excluding holidays

Book a Trip

To book a HandyDART trip or to inquire about your trip, call the HandyDART Customer Call Centre at 604.575.6600 (local; select option '1') or 1.844.475.6600 (toll-free)

Operating Hours

Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on weekends and statutory holidays 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Compass Card Inquiries

For Compass-related questions, call Compass Customer Service at 604.398.2042 (local) or 1.888.207.4055 (toll-free)

Operating Hours

7 days a week 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.

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