BC FORUM News TaxiSaver SAVED! News Release from TransLink, July 11, 2012 – TransLink’s Board of Directors will maintain the TaxiSaver program, reversing its original decision to eliminate the program. The original decision grew out of discussions on how to meet growing demand for custom transit services, including HandyDART. The goal was to redirect funding from TaxiSavers to improve these services. On May 30, the board put that decision on hold pending further engagement with a broader range of stakeholders. For the past several weeks, TransLink’s board and staff have been participating in meetings in the region to listen to concerns and discuss ideas. We have heard that the TaxiSaver program provides a valuable service to those in need, and is integral to making the transit system accessible for them. Through this engagement, TransLink has also heard many good ideas and suggestions on how to make overall custom transit services better for those who need it most. We are committed to working closely with Access Transit’s Users’ Advisory Committee, persons with disabilities, seniors and other stakeholders from across the region on an ongoing basis to help find ways of improving these services. By continuing to listen to a broad spectrum of stakeholders on their ideas, TransLink’s goal is to continue to provide reliable, valuable and sustainable custom transit services. Thank you to everyone who participated in the meetings, wrote and called us. We appreciate that you shared your insights with us. On behalf of the TransLink board, management and staff, we sincerely look forward to your continued feedback to help us improve accessibility of the public transit network for everyone. Organizations applaud TransLink’s decision The Council of Senior Citizens Organizations (COSCO) and the BC Coalition of People with Disabilities (BCCPD) applauds the TransLink Board for reversing its plan to eliminate the TaxiSaver Program. We would also like to congratulate the organizations and individuals who worked hard to show TransLink why Taxisavers are so important to the dignity and independence of seniors and people with disabilities. By truly listening to the voices of people who use TaxiSavers and acting on what it heard the Board has demonstrated that it values community consultation. We are encouraged that going forward TransLink will continue to engage in true community consultation when it develops plans that impact people with disabilities and seniors. Lorraine Logan, COSCO Jane Dyson, Executive Director of BC Coalition of People with Disabilities | 
