Seniors Transportation Hotline
In June of 2018, as part of Seniors on the Move, a project of Allies in Aging, BEST and bc211 announced the launch of a new Seniors Transportation Hotline.
Looking for help to get around Metro Vancouver? Call 211 for Seniors Transportation Information!
Housed within bc211, call operators are able to provide information on how to obtain a Compass Card, what to expect in transitioning out of driving, how to apply for HandyDART and/or HandyCARD and access community shuttle services or volunteer driver programs. Questions seniors have about Metro Vancouver area transportation can get help 24/7 in multiple languages!
Thanks to support from ICBC, Vancouver Coastal Health, TransLink, and funded in part by the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors program, the Seniors Transportation Hotline and Hub (hosted within BEST) is part of Seniors on the Move, a project of Allies in Aging working to reduce seniors’ isolation.
To celebrate the launch of the hotline during BC Seniors Week in June of 2018, BEST and its partners promoted different modes of transportation throughout the week.
Monday, June 4th, was the media launch and transit day at Lougheed Town Centre Skytrain Station with TransLink from 1pm-5pm engaging seniors on taking transit. Let’s Talk Transit! Let’s Talk Transit Poster
Tuesday,June 5th, was Active transportation Tuesday in Kerrisdale along the Arbutus Greenway from 10am-2pm. With the City of Vancouver, a variety of bicycles, tricycles, urban poling and more was available for seniors to try, as well as tea and snacks. Big thanks to Cycle City Tours for donating a trike to BEST!
Wednesday, June 6th, was Walkability/wheelability Wednesday - working with community partners to conduct walkability/accessibility audits in neighbourhoods throughout Metro Vancouver using a tool specially designed by SFU Gerontology with a focus on seniors. This data can later be mapped for reporting and recommended city improvements.
Carpool/Rideshare Thursday June 7th featured seniors’ shuttles and HandyDART services.
Friday June 8th was with TransLink at the Tri-Cities’ Elder Abuse & Wellness Forum at the Winslow Centre, Coquitlam.
Looking for help to get around Metro Vancouver? Call 211 for Seniors Transportation Information!
http://www.bc211.ca/2018/12/bc211-helping-seniors-move/