HandyDARTs are on their way to Merritt.
Starting in 2018, the city will have access to the the door-to-door bus service targeted at those with physical or cognitive disabilities.
The announcement from BC Transit came on June 15, after Merritt’s city council signed off on a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with BC Transit at Tuesday’s regular council meeting (June 14).
“Having the HandyDART service in Merritt will make a positive difference in the lives of many of our residents, providing them with better access to appointments, shopping and visiting with friends and family,” Merritt Mayor Neil Menard said in a press release. “Many senior citizens and people with disabilities in our community have mobility issues and this investment will help them to better engage in the community and live their lives to the fullest.”
Merritt is the third B.C. community to cost share with the province this year for expanded HandyDART services, and will receive 1,010 hours of the service annually starting in 2018.
Though the HandyDART is locked in, the MOU is not a guarantee of further expanded service, but rather an outline of what expanded service might look like two years down the road.
Extended evening hours from Monday to Saturday on existing lines, as well as two extra trips to Lower Nicola (in the morning, and evening) are also in the works.
Lastly, BC Transit and the City will work towards adding a limited Sunday service of 10 hours per week.
In March, the B.C. government announced it would commit $12.7 million to transit funding across the province, while BC Transit identified Merritt as a possible candidate for transit expansion from this fund.
Part of the funding for the expansion would come through this fund, while the other part ($73,743) would be paid by the city. Lower Nicola Indian Band would also contribute $6,428 for the expanded service on route 4.
