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Supply of handyDART passes runs low as bus service switches to Umo

As ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Transit switches over to electronic fare payments, passes have become hard to find for users of the handyDART service.
Andrew A. Duffy
Andrew A. Duffy
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A handyDART drops off a passenger on Tuesday on Topaz Avenue near Blanshard Street. ADRIAN LAM, TIMES COLONIST

The changeover to electronic payments for ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Transit fares, which took effect Tuesday, has had an unintended effect on riders who use Transit’s handyDART service.

Several handyDART passengers reported this week having trouble buying new monthly passes.

As of Tuesday morning, Transit ended the sale of 10-ride ticket books, adult monthly passes and student/senior monthly passes for fixed-route transit services.

Bus riders are being asked to use the Umo electronic-fare system, which launched last year in Greater Victoria.

Riders can pay by scanning a QR code displayed on their phone’s Umo app or by tapping a Umo card at new validator screens installed next to bus drivers’ seats.

But Umo systems were not installed on handyDART buses.

In a statement provided to the Times Colonist, ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ Transit said in preparing for the change in payments for its fixed-route service, it established a dedicated network of in-person retail vendors to exclusively sell handyDART fare products in Victoria.

“Unfortunately, we’ve become aware that a number of handyDART vendors temporarily ran out of stock of handyDART fare products making it challenging to purchase in-person,” said the Crown corporation. “We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this update.”

Transit said it is working to replenish stock levels of the passes and ensure a minimum level of fare products are available at all times.

Previously, passes for handyDART services were available at grocery stores, pharmacies and other locations. Single tickets or books of 10 fares for handyDART riders could also be purchased from drivers.

Now the handyDART products will be sold only at nine Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Greater Victoria (), in the municipal offices of the Town of Sidney and Town of View Royal, online at the handyDART or from drivers.

HandyDART is an accessible, door-to-door shared transit service for people with permanent or temporary disabilities that prevent them from using fixed-route transit without assistance.

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