Handi-Transit bills man after stranding him, twice

A Winnipeg man is upset with the city's Handi-Transit bus service after receiving an invoice to pay for two rides where he was actually left stranded.

Robert Malanczuk said the bill, $30, was issued to him as a "no-show" when in fact he was refused service and had to make his own arrangements to get home.

In one case he said a driver refused to let him on the bus because he was carrying two bags after shopping at Polo Park and the service has a policy limiting carry-on items.

In another case he said his motorized chair stalled on a ramp and the driver left him behind.

"I have been left ... because my chair won't work," Malanczuk said. "And I can't get home. I'm not taking any chances of driving from St. Marys down to Roslyn in case I hit a bump."

No one from the service was available for an interview.

However, city officials said in an email that the carry-on limit is due to space issues.

"Due to cargo space limits, passengers are permitted to have only two small bags with them that can reasonably fit on their lap during the ride," the email said. "Passengers with more will not be permitted to board."

Malanczuk said he had to cancel other homecare and dinner arrangements, because he was stranded.

He said a call to the city's 311 service line did not yield any help.

He has called city hall and made a complaint, adding he is concerned other people may be encountering similar issues.

According to the city, the Handi-Transit has over 8,000 people registered for the service.