handyDART Transit Service is provided within the Smithers and Regional District areas. Everyone — young or old — can use this transit service.

Please call the Smithers and District Transit office at 250-847-4993 to become a passenger on your transit system. The first time you call, you may be asked for your name, address and telephone number. You may also be asked for any pertinent medical facts. This information will be kept strictly confidential.

Hours of Operation

The handyDART Transit Service operates on Monday through Friday in intervals between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., and Saturdays between 9:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. There is no regular service in the evenings, on Sundays or on statutory holidays.

Booking a Door-to-Door Trip

Booking hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. When you call to book a trip, please be ready with the following information:

• your name and the date on which you wish to travel
• the exact address where you wish to be picked up and dropped off
• the time at which you wish to arrive at your destination
• if you will be accompanied by an attendant and how many others will be travelling with you
• whether you will be walking or whether you will be using a mobility aid or any other equipment, and
• the time you wished to be picked-up for your return home if it is a return trip.

If you call outside the office hours, or between noon to 1:00 p.m., please leave a message on the answering machine. Leave your name, when you want to travel and your telephone number. The dispatcher will return your call as soon as possible.

Be flexible, as you may have to adjust your trip time to fit the busy handyDART Transit Service schedule. This service is a shared-ride system.

Cancelling a Trip

If your plans change and you no longer need your reserved trip, please call 250-847-4993 as soon as possible so that we can schedule a trip for someone else.

Carry on Baggage

Due to space limitations, a limited number of groceries, parcels or other luggage may be carried on board. None of these items may be stored on the bus after your ride has ended. Call 250-847-4993 for more information.

When the Bus Arrives

Trip schedules are constantly changing due to new reservations and cancellations. Expect your bus to arrive up to 15 minutes before or after your scheduled trip time. This means that you should be ready to go 15 minutes before your trip time.

It is not necessary to wait outside, but if you are being picked up at an apartment complex or commercial building, please wait in the lobby for the bus to arrive.

Passenger Safety

The bus is equipped with seatbelts and wheelchair restraints. The driver will assist you in fastening these restraints.

Mobility Aids (Wheelchairs and Scooters)

Mobility aids must be safe and well maintained to be carried on the bus. The design of the bus limits the type of mobility aids that can be safely carried. If you use a scooter, but you are ambulatory, please transfer to a seat in the bus whenever possible.

Here are some guidelines regarding mobility aids on the bus:

• Mobility aids cannot be larger than the hoist platform.
• The mobility aids should be equipped with a lap restraint belt.
• Mobility aids with flags, whip type antenna and oversized baskets cannot be transported on transit vehicles.

handyDART Transit Service Fares

More Information

For more handyDART Transit Service information, call 250-847-4993.