(STEVE ARSTAD / iNFOnews.ca)
June 16, 2016 - 4:30 PM
MERRITT - Seniors and people with mobility issues will have an easier time getting around Merritt in the next couple of years. The province and city have committed funding to a HandyDART service.
Merritt is the third community in B.C. to cost share with the province this year for expanded HandyDART service, according to a media release. Starting in 2018, Merritt will receive 1,010 annual hours of HandyDART service.
"We are committed to improving quality of life for seniors and individuals with disabilities by making public transportation an easy and reliable way for them to access community services and supports," Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure Todd Stone said in the release.
The province has increased funding for BC Transit by $12.7 million and will now be providing $324 million in operating contributions over the next three years. This funding will help municipalities across B.C. increase their transit services, including expanding door-to-door HandyDART services in targeted communities, adding an extra 8,000 hours of HandyDART services each year.
"Many senior citizens and people with disabilities in our community have mobility issues and this investment will help them to better engage in the community and live their lives to the fullest," Merritt mayor Neil Menard said in the release.
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