TransLink, which operates transit services in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, has cancelled a plan to phase out a program that allows transit users living with mobility challenges to buy $80 worth of half-price taxi vouchers each month.

As recently reported in The Tyee, TransLink moved early May to end the program, but after a storm of protest from transit users and their allies, postponed the cancellation to allow for public consultation.

Hundreds of mobility-challenged transit users and their supporters thronged a series of consultation meetings and flooded TransLink with calls and letters demanding that the program remain in place.

Today, TransLink announced it was reversing the decision to end the program.

According to a TransLink release: "The original decision grew out of discussions on how to meet growing demand for custom transit services, including HandyDART. The goal was to redirect funding from TaxiSavers to improve these services.

"On May 30, the board put that decision on hold pending further engagement with a broader range of stakeholders. For the past several weeks, TransLink's board and staff have been participating in meetings in the region to listen to concerns and discuss ideas.

"We have heard that the TaxiSaver program provides a valuable service to those in need, and is integral to making the transit system accessible for them."

Jill Weiss, one of the key activists in organizing the campaign to preserve TaxiSavers, told The Tyee that the transit authority's decision was "a wonderful result." She said it was an example of what a community in action could accomplish.

"Hundreds and hundreds of people called and wrote letters and came out to meetings," Weiss said. "It shows that when you are right and you can communicate your position, you can win. I also want to say that I respect the wisdom and courage of the TransLink board in reversing a publicly announced decision. That doesn't happen too often."

Christine Waymark, who describes herself as living with an invisible disability, attended one of the consultation meetings Weiss helped organize. When told about the TransLink decision, Waymark said: "I am stunned. This is a real victory. It is lovely to win, but it was an exhausting fight."

Tom Sandborn covers labour and health policy news for the Tyee. He welcomes your feedback and story tips at [email protected].