DARTS anticipates major service impacts as one-third of vehicles taken off roads

People using DARTS Transit should expect major service disruptions as more than one-third of its vehicles will be temporarily taken off the road.

The City of Hamilton has informed the provider of its accessible transit program to pause their service immediately until mechanics can confirm the vehicles are safe.

The office of city auditor Charles Brown has been auditing DARTS’ vehicles since the beginning of May. It was initiated after Hamilton Street Railway received a confidential complaint regarding the condition of DARTS’ vehicles.

Early audit findings suggest a significant number of vehicles were found to have issues, including problems with lights, suspensions and exhausts.

The city said the audit is expected to be completed in the coming weeks.

To avoid prolonged service impacts, the city is requesting all remaining vehicles that have passed inspection to be used for priority services such as critical medical appointments.

It is also asking that necessary repairs be made to vehicles that have not passed inspection as soon as possible.

A public report detailing the findings of the city auditor will be presented to members of city council in the coming weeks.