The upcoming 2010 Winter Games will make extensive use of public transportation to move both regular commuters and visitors to Metro Vancouver. One of the unique features of the region is the transit service provided to people with disabilities.

TransLink’s fleet of buses, metro railcars, heavy commuter railcars and SeaBus ferries is 100 per cent wheelchair accessible. Most of the vehicles have low floors with a retractable ramp. Buses with stairs are equipped with wheelchair lifts. TransLink is also providing accessible shuttle buses between certain Olympic Games venues and the nearest transit stop. These venues include Vancouver Olympic Centre (curling), Thunderbird Arena (ice hockey) and Richmond Oval (speed-skating).

In addition, the HandyDART paratransit service is also available for those with mobility and/or cognitive disabilities.

Please note that shuttle buses and HandyDART vehicles will not be permitted to deliver or pick up passengers inside venue security zones. Olympic venue hosts will provide assistance inside the security zones.

Visitors to Metro Vancouver may use HandyDART, but they will need to register first. The TransLink website – www.translink.ca – has a link to a registration form, which may be printed, filled out and faxed to TransLink. (It is not possible to register online or by phone.) Simply click on “Rider Info”, select “HandyDART” and follow the link on the right of the page to “Olympic Visitor HandyDART Application Form”. One may also receive the form and any other information about HandyDART by calling 604-575-6600.

The Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee (VANOC) is also providing services for people with disabilities, including the Olympic Bus Network. For information about the OBN, please call 1-866-957-3774 in Canada or 1-866-330-7275 (in the rest of the world).