NEW WESTMINSTER, B.C. — TransLink is recommending a new HandyDART service provider following a six-month open procurement process. Pending TransLink Board of Directors approval on December 14, TransLink will begin negotiations with First Canada to take over the HandyDART contract.

First Canada currently provides HandyDART service for BC Transit in Victoria, Kelowna, Kamloops and Vernon, in addition to many other communities in British Columbia. The company also operates community shuttle service for TransLink in Langley and on Bowen Island. First Canada is an Ontario-based company, with offices in British Columbia.

With a new HandyDART contract in place, TransLink will have greater oversight and accountability of the operation, and be in a better position to provide improved service standards for its customers.

TransLink established new criteria for service delivery based on feedback earlier this year from HandyDART stakeholders. First Canada has agreed to meet the key performance measures TransLink developed through consultation:

• It has extensive experience delivering bus services, including HandyDART, in British Columbia and elsewhere;
• First Canada is committed to retaining current employees; and
• The new contract offers TransLink a higher level of oversight than it’s had in the past.

If the TransLink Board of Directors approve the recommendation on December 14, First Canada would begin delivering HandyDART services in July 2018.

Quote:

Kevin Desmond, TransLink CEO –

“Improving the quality, availability and accountability of HandyDART has been a priority of mine since I became CEO nearly two years ago. While First Canada will play an important role in delivering HandyDART, we are still responsible for our customers. We look forward to working with First Canada as we continue to improve service and thank MVT for their service over the past decade.”

Learn More:

Custom Transit Service Delivery Review

Media contact:
TransLink Media Relations
C: (778) 375-7788
E: media@translink.ca