Debt Resources for Seniors in BC

Translink (in the Metro-Vancouver region) and B.C. Transit-funded services elsewhere in B.C. offer discount fares for passengers 65 years of age or over. You receive this discount by presenting your B.C. Gold CareCard when you pay your fare. For more information contact:  
Translink – Vancouver Region number: 604-953-3333
The Website is: www.translink.bc.ca
Victoria Regional Transit System number: 250-382-6161
The Website is: www.bctransit.com/regions/vic
B.C. Transit for the rest of the province:

The Website is: www.bctransit.com

The Bus Pass Program provides affordable transportation to low-income seniors and persons with disabilities. Eligible people can buy a yearly pass at a reduced cost. The pass allows travel without additional cost on B.C. Transit and Translink, including SkyTrain and SeaBus. The bus pass is not valid on HandyDART or the West Coast Express.

To be eligible for the bus pass you must live in an area serviced by public transit and:

• Be receiving federal Old Age Security (OAS), and either the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) or Spouse’s Allowance; or
• Be an immigrant to Canada who would qualify for OAS and either the GIS or Spouse’s Allowance if not for the residency requirement; or
• Be between the ages of 60 and 64 and be receiving B.C. Employment and Assistance; or
• Be receiving B.C. Employment and Assistance disability assistance.

The bus pass is valid from January 1st to December 31st. For Bus Pass Program Information contact:
The toll-free number: 1-866-866-0800 (press 4, then 3)
The Website is: www.hsd.gov.bc.ca/programs/other.htm#bp
(Note: If your name or address changes, call the above number to ensure next year’s application and pass is sent to you).

HandyDART is a special transportation service for eligible persons with a disability who cannot use regular public transport due to mobility issues.

This transit service uses specially equipped vehicles, provides door-to-door service and is available in all of the province’s larger centres, as well as in many smaller communities.

Other transit services are provided to seniors, persons with a disability, and others in many smaller communities. These services use smaller, accessible vehicles and offer a range of services, including door-to-door and fixed commute.

For areas other than Metro Vancouver, contact HandyDART listed in the white pages of your phone book, or contact the number listed below for information on accessible services by location. In Metro Vancouver, please contact your local community resources centre or visit the TransLink transportation services website.
The Website is: www.translink.ca/en/Rider-Info/Accessible-Transit/HandyDART.aspx
In Greater Victoria the number is: 250-727-7811
The Website is: www.bctransit.ca/regions/vic/accessible/handydart.cfm
Elsewhere in B.C. the number is: 604-575-6600
The Website is: www.bctransit.com

B.C. Transit and TransLink offer a Taxi Saver Program for HandyDART registrants living in Vancouver, Victoria and other B.C. municipalities. This program provides a 50 percent subsidy toward the cost of taxi rides. Passengers use coupons for taxi travel by booking directly with a participating taxi company, without having to pre-plan the trip.

Taxi Saver coupons are sold by local HandyDART offices to any adult who has been issued a B.C. Transit handyPass or TransLink handyCard, which are available to any permanent registered HandyDART user.

Contact your local HandyDART operator for more information or call the numbers listed below. In Metro Vancouver, please contact your local community resources centre or visit the TransLink transportation services website.
The Website is: www.translink.ca/en/Rider-Info/Accessible-Transit/HandyCard-Taxi-Saver.aspx
In Greater Victoria the number is: 250-995-5618
Elsewhere in B.C. the number is: 604-575-6600
The Website is: www.bctransit.com

This is a free service which provides training to seniors and people with disabilities who wish to use the regular transit service.

Travel trainers have in-depth knowledge of the transit system and are familiar with the issues facing seniors and persons with disabilities. They have experience working with a range of assistive devices, mobility aids and special needs and work with you and your caregiver or family member. Training is free and follow-up is provided to make sure you are comfortable using the transit system.

In Greater Vancouver the number is: 250-384-7723
In Kelowna the number is: 250-979-1312

B.C. Seniors travel free on most B.C. Ferries’ routes sailing Monday through Thursday, except on holidays. This applies to passenger fares only. To take advantage of this program, please present your B.C. Gold CareCard when you arrive at the terminal. Note that this does not apply to B.C. Ferries’ Port Hardy-Prince Rupert, Port Hardy-Mid Coast, Discovery Coast Passage or Prince Rupert-Skidegate routes, though there are special passenger fares for B.C. seniors using these ferry services.

For customer information and reservations:
The toll-free number (from anywhere in North America): 1-888-BC FERRY (1-888-223-3779)
The toll-free number (from outside North America): 250-386-3431

Seniors who are 65 or older and produce a valid B.C. Gold CareCard:

• Are exempt from the requirement to pay the passenger fare on all B.C. Ferries routes, except the Northern Routes from Monday to Thursday, excluding all statutory holidays; and on Remembrance Day;
• Receive a 33 percent discount on the passenger fare on each day of the week for travel on any of the Northern Routes.

For more information:
The toll-free number: 1-888-223-3779
The Website is: www.bcferries.com

Passage on inland ferries operated under contract with the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure is available to the public free of charge. This includes both passengers and vehicles. Route and schedule information plus telephone numbers for individual routes are available at the Ministry website.
The Website is: www.th.gov.bc.ca/marine/ferry_schedules.htm
Information is also available from the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure’s Marine Branch, or through Drive B.C.
The Website is: www.drivebc.ca/
In Victoria the number is: 250-387-7585

If you are 65 or older, plus the principal operator of your vehicle is also 65 or older, and your motor vehicle is driven for pleasure only, you may qualify for a discount of 25 percent off your basic Autoplan insurance premium. If you are 65 or over and have a disability you may be eligible for a further 25 percent disability discount off your basic Autoplan insurance premium.

For more information about these discounts:
The toll-free number: 1-800-663-3051
In Greater Vancouver the number is: 604-661-2800
The Website is www.icbc.com
Or contact your Autoplan broker.

Drivers’ Licences:
If you are 65 years or older, fees for some services offered by ICBC Driver Licensing Centres are reduced or are free of charge.

Reduced fees apply to:

• Driver’s licence renewals; and
• Original British Columbia Identification Cards.

Free services include:

• British Columbia Identification Card, if you are giving up driving and surrender your driver’s licence; and
• Driver’s examinations, including knowledge and road tests.

For more information:
The toll-free number: 1-800-950-1498
In Greater Victoria the number is: 250-978-8300
The Website is: www.icbc.com

Mature Driver Workshops:
The BCAA Traffic Safety Foundation’s Living Well, Driving Well Mature Drivers Workshops are designed to help mature drivers assess their own driving skills, habits and knowledge in a peer group environment while getting tips and strategies to help change and improve their driving, promoting self-awareness and ending in results that protect the population as a whole.

Mature Drivers Workshops were developed specifically to:

• Promote greater self-assessment and informed decision-making; 
• Increase mature drivers’ awareness of the physical changes related to aging and potential risks they may create for themselves, their passengers and other road users;
• Provide realistic solutions, options and alternatives; and
• Foster a greater understanding of the direct (and indirect) benefits that can result from making responsible choices and decisions regarding their mobility needs.

The community-based, ‘Seniors Helping Seniors’ approach, through a network of volunteer seniors, is an integral part of the Mature Drivers Program. The free workshops enable volunteers to help other seniors in their community become more aware of and realistic about changes they’re going through, and how these changes may impact their safe driving ability.

For more information about these free Living Well, Driving Well Mature Drivers Workshops:
The toll-free number: 1-877-297-2254 
The Website is: www.MatureDrivers.ca

Through British Columbia’s Driver Fitness Program, drivers are assessed and identified to determine that they are physically, cognitively and medically fit to drive:

• When they apply for a British Columbia driver’s licence;
• At regular intervals if they hold a commercial class driver’s licence;
• When a reliable report is received from a medical professional, police officer, concerned family member or other individual. (Doctors, registered psychologists and optometrists have a reporting obligation under the Motor Vehicle Act); and
• At regular intervals beginning at age 80, as medical conditions affecting driving are more common as people age.

If you are required to provide a driver’s medical exam report for any of the reasons listed above, you will be mailed the form, which you should then take to your doctor. There are detailed instructions on the back of the form.
Your doctor will complete this report and send it for review to the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles. You will be notified in writing only of there is any change to your driver’s licence status or if more information or testing is needed to determine your fitness to drive.

For more information on driver licensing and driver testing or general inquiries about driver medical requirements, contact ICBC:
The toll-free number: 1-800-950-1498
In Greater Victoria the number is: 250-978-8300
The Website is: www.icbc.com
Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles:
The Website is: www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/osmv/index.htm

Veteran specialty licence plates are available to veterans who served:

• During wartime;
• In a post-war capacity; or
• During a NATO or UN operation (and this includes members of the RCMP and Municipal Police).
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To apply for a veteran specialty plate, print the application form from ICBC’s website or pick up a copy from your Autoplan broker.
The Website is: www.icbc.com/registration/reg_spec_lic_plates_vet_plates.asp

For more information contact the British Columbia Veterans Commemorative Association:
The number is: 604-876-2838
The Website is: www.bcveterans.org

The Drive B.C. website is updated with the most current information on highway conditions for major highways in British Columbia. Travellers can access information on-line or by calling the toll-free number, including weather information, travel advisories, road closures, webcams, U.S.-B.C. border traffic wait times, inland ferry schedules, BC Ferries schedules, TransLink and other important links.

The toll-free number: 1-800-550-4997
The Website is: www.drivebc.ca

The Taxi Bill of Rights is a statement of principles, outlining expectations of both taxi drivers and passengers. The purpose of the Taxi Bill of Rights is to improve taxi service throughout Metro Vancouver. As a taxi passenger you have the right to:

• Be picked up and transported to your stated destination by any available on-duty taxi driver;
• Pay the posted rate by cash or accepted credit card or TaxiSaver voucher;
• A courteous driver who provides assistance, if requested;
• Travel with an assistance dog or portable mobility aid;
• A taxi that is clean, smoke free and in good repair;
• Direct the route or expect the most economical route;
• A quiet atmosphere, upon request; and
• A detailed receipt, when requested.

Further information:
The Website is: www.taxirights.gov.bc.ca

The Elders Transportation Program supports Aboriginal Elders who want to share and celebrate Aboriginal culture and oral traditions. The program provides partial funding for travel costs for Elders to attend the Annual Elders Gathering. Travel within British Columbia for distances greater than 200 kilometres one way may be eligible. Applications are accepted between April 1st and the second Friday in June of each year.

For further information on the Elders Transportation Program contact the B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres:
Address:
B.C. Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
200 – 506 Fort Street,
Victoria, B.C. V8W 1E6
The toll-free number: 1-800-990-2432
In Greater Victoria the number is: 250-388-5522
E-mail: info@bcaafc.com

The Website is: www.bcaafc.com/content/view/32/264/