Persons With Disabilities To Get Bus Psses

The BC government has announced at starting starting January 1st of 2018 annual bus passes will be available to people on disability assistance through a new transportation supplement.

It says anyone with the Persons with Disabilities or PWD  designation can use the new supplement for an annual bus pass or for other transportation needs, such as HandyDART.

People can apply for the B.C. Bus Pass at any time during the year.

They can also cancel their bus pass at any time and use the supplement for other transportation costs.

The new supplement responds to requests from the disability community to fix changes that were made to transportation supports for people on disability assistance.

Possible firearm involved

One person apprehended in connection with suspicious activity in Coldstream

17h ago

Fatal Collision, Highway Closed

One person dead in crash near Revelstoke

18h ago

Salaries

Vernon Council to discuss lesser pay increases

19h ago

The transportation supplement is $52 per month and will be on monthly assistance payments, starting with the Dec. 20, 2017, payment.

It is expected to cost government approximately $70 million annually.

The B.C. Bus Pass can be used in both TransLink and BC Transit areas.

Shane Simpson, Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction  says  “People have shared their concerns over changes made to the B.C. Bus Pass for people with disabilities, and fixing this has been a priority for our government. Over the last two months, I have reached out to stakeholders and asked for their advice on the approach we should take to resolve this issue. The transportation supplement is the result of those conversations.”

Faith Bodnar, the executive director of Inclusion BC couldn’t be happier.

“This has been a longstanding issue for those in the disability community, and we are glad that we could find a resolution that better supports people’s needs. Beginning in January, anyone with a disability who is on assistance will be able to get a bus pass and they will no longer have $52 deducted from their support payment.”

She says it means people can choose for themselves where and when they travel.

“Collaboration is always the best approach, and I appreciate that we were sought out for our expertise and ideas prior to today’s announcement. Over the past 18 months, our government heard loud and clear that a bus pass is essential for many on disability assistance.”

Bodnar calls it a major improvement that acknowledges all British Columbians with disabilities on assistance should receive support to get around in their communities, wherever they live.

“This, and the increase in earnings exemptions, is an important step forward in providing people on disability assistance with the capacity to work, improve their quality of life without penalty and contribute economically to the province.”

Jane Dyson, executive director, Disability Alliance BC calls the news  very encouraging first steps from B.C.’s new provincial government.

“We appreciate the fact that the minister consulted and listened to stakeholders in designing the new supplement and look forward to working with his ministry to develop more poverty-reduction initiatives.”

Neil Belanger, executive director, B.C. Aboriginal Network on Disability Society says the ability to access and cover the costs of transportation has been a barrier to many people in receipt of PWD benefits, particularly for those residing in the province’s rural and remote communities.

He says the new supplement acknowledges the barrier and is a positive step forward in ensuring that those receiving disability assistance have support to address their individual transportation needs.

More details are available on the B.C. Bus Pass Program at www.buspass.gov.bc.ca.