Vancouver News

Advocates for seniors and people with disabilities are relieved at Translink's decision to no longer cut its Taxisaver program.
Jill Weiss, who chairs the City of Vancouver's persons with Disabilities Advisory Committee, says she's happy Translink's board of directors finally listened.

"It's wonderful, and it means that for thousands of people who had the threat of really having a life taken away, we have that back now."

The Taxisaver program allows Handydart customers to call a taxi at half the price when needed.
Weiss may have had harsh words for the board when it announced the program would be phased out.
But after hours of consultations with its users, she says it has shown courage and integrity in reversing its decision.
The chop would have saved Translink three-million dollars over three years.
The vice chair of the Mayors Council for Translink says it speaks to governance issues after the transit utility chose not to axe the Taxisaver program.
Peter Fassbender says there needs to be a better relationship between the Mayors Council and Translink.
Fassbender says mayors have a better ear and eye to the ground when it comes to public opinion.

"And I think it really shows us how important it is to have a broader public consulation you know numbers can tell you one thing but the effect on people is also a very significant component we can never forget."

That being said, Fassbender says it was a wise and prudent decision by Translink to listen to users and save the Taxisaver program.