My Transportation Experiences Living in Metro Vancouver

Written by Larissa Gunkel, BCPF Member & Self-Advocate Liaison & Community Advocacy Consultant, Freelancer

December 10, 2024

I am age 40 on Disability, have a few Freelance Creative Part-Time Jobs, live in Burnaby, have Club Feet, skin issues, Type Two Diabetic, Marfan Syndrome, and Learning Difficulties, Dyslexia.

It is hard to get around, transportation can be hard for me. And it is for many people.

Without much family now, family passed over years. When my mom was alive, she was able to find me rides from her friends or partners. I see my dad sometimes but his health has stopped him from driving, no longer has a car. I can sometimes get a ride from Support Workers for some things I need to do in the community, but only for a few set activities.

It can be hard to ask people for rides, don’t want to always be asking for things. And sometimes there is no one to give a ride. I am independent and can usually find a way to places I need to go. But there are times when staying home is forced  for me, even though there are places I want to go.

I do take the Skytrain and bus around New West, Burnaby, and Vancouver. But there are lots of issues. There’s no control over scary situations that happen. Can’t always get close to my needed destination…and I can walk very far. It’s far enough to get to the bus stop to start my journey. And it is hard for me to get place son time as I often need to leave late due to health issues. So this ruins the schedules I print out at the library to plan my routes when going far.

I can’t rush…no matter how much others want me to or get impatient, it’s not possible for me to go fast. And it is stressful to feel people's anger about this. So I use taxis sometimes, too. But this is not affordable for my limited income. But I do prefer taxi because it is better for my needs and can actually get closer to my destinations. This prevents unnecessary pain and stress.

I use HandyDart sometimes. Hits and misses, pros and cons with my experience. This service needs to be more reliable and easier to use. It is not convenient to have to book so many days in advance when you can’t have a set schedule due to your disability – this is not accessible. HandyDart should be as easy as the taxi and things would be much better.

Issues I have found with transit busses and Skytrain in Metro Vancouver:

• Freezing cold or too humid

• Busses late

• People always pushing and shoving

• Transit too full

• When there's a gap between the curb and the bus step to get on

• Rules and standards sloppy, not followed

• People rush in and rush out, not considering people with invisible disabilities or medical health conditions

• People can see I have a pain disability but no one offers me their seat

• People not waiting until everyone gets off before getting on

I am forever feeling a whirlwind of emotions when taking transit, because it’s not easy. But I have hope things could get better. It would be wonderful if people took time to slow down and be more compassionate. It would be nice if the common courtesy rules and standards were followed by everyone so things were more accessible and inclusive.

If you have any issues with Translink bus, Skytrain, or HandyDart services you can fill out their online feedback form found here: https://www.translink.ca/about-us/customer-service/feedback. Or you can call 604-953-3333. See something? Say something.