RDN Transit handyDART Information
handyDART is a shared public transit service that uses specially equipped vehicles designed to carry passengers with physical or cognitive disabilities, who are unable to use public transit without assistance. Customers telephone handyDART to book a trip ahead of time. Passengers are picked up at the accessible door where the trip originates and are dropped off outside the door of their destination. To use the service you need to be registered and reserve your trip in advance of the required date. There is no registration fee.
To register for the handyDART service or for more information call:
250-390-3000 Nanaimo Area
250-248-4557 (Parksville-Qualicum Beach Area)
To download a copy of the Application for handyDART Service, please [ Click Here ]
You may also write for information to:
RDN HandyDART
6300 Hammond Bay Road
Nanaimo, B.C. V9T 6N2
or email: hdart [at] rdn.bc.ca
- handyDART Service Information
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You must register first and provide basic information, including name, address, phone number, type of mobility aid used, whether you will be travelling alone or with an escort or attendant, and the date you wish the service to start. handyDART trips can be booked by calling 250-390-3000 (Nanaimo Area) or 250-248-4557 (Parksville-Qualicum Beach Area) between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Two types of trip service are offered: regular subscription trips (once a week or more often) and one-time trips for health care, shopping, social visits, or recreational activities.
- Expect your bus to arrive 10 minutes before or after your scheduled pick-up time.
- Please be on time and waiting for the bus when it arrives.
- Cancel an unwanted ride as soon as possible (no later than 2 hours in advance of the trip time but preferably the day before).
- handyDART Hours
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handyDART service hours
Nanaimo Area- Monday to Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.;
- Saturday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.;
- Sunday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Monday to Friday: 7:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m;
- Saturday, Sunday: no service.
Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Weekends and Statutory Holidays: Closed
handyDART Booking Hours:
Monday to Friday: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Weekends and Statutory Holidays: Closed
- User Guide
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The user guide helps you to be familiar with the accessible transit services offered through handyDART, with travelling tips, safety information and answers to frequently asked questions.
To see the user guide online, please visit: handyDART User Guide
- Mobility Aid Information
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A mobility aid must meet the following requirements in order for it to be transported on the handyDART bus.
Mobility Aid guidelines:
- Length - 121.9 cm (48 inches)
- Width - 60.96 cm (24 inches)
- The combined weight of the customer and mobility aid cannot exceed 450kg (1000 lbs).
- All scooters and wheelchairs must have functioning lap belts that are to be used at all times while in the handyDART vehicle.
- Flags must be removed from scooters prior to the handyDART vehicle arriving for pick up.
- Wheelchairs must have escort handles that are in good working condition. Escort handles on manual wheelchairs.
- Secure and suitably located components to attach tie-downs.
- Functioning brakes.
- Electric mobility aids must have brakes that are in good working order.
- Wheelchairs that have a reclining seat must have the seat back in the upright position and have the recliner turned off while on the bus.
- Batteries must be tied down and in a leak-proof case.
To see the guide for mobility aids for handyDART online, please visit: Nanaimo handyDART Mobility Aid guidelines