2014 Metrolinx Accessibility Public Meetings

Source: Metrolinx.com

During the month of November, Metrolinx will be hosting the Accessibility Public Meetings. These meetings are similar to the TTC Accessible Forum back in September, allowing you to share your ideas on how Metrolinx and its operating divisions, GO Transit, PRESTO and Union Pearson Express, can make it easier for people with disabilities to travel around our region.

The last Metrolinx Accessibility Public Meeting was held in 2012, and the feedback from the public and Metrolinx responses can be viewed here under Appendix A. The topics covered ranges from the general design of the stations to the visibility and audibility of information.

We will be there covering the meetings. If you have any questions you would like us to bring up, leave a comment below!

There will be four public meetings this November:

Central – Toronto: Wednesday, November 12, 2014
One-on-one discussions: 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Public meeting: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m

Metro Hall - Rooms 308 and 309 (third floor)
55 John Street, Toronto, ON M5V 3C6

Closest GO Transit station: Union Station - Train or Union Station Bus Terminal
For local transit schedule information, visit TTC

East – Whitby: Tuesday, November 18, 2014
One-on-one discussions: 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Public meeting: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m

Abilities Centre - Theatre/Multi-Purpose Room (second floor)
55 Gordon Street, Whitby, ON, L1N 0J2

Closest GO Transit station: Whitby GO Station
For local transit schedule information, visit Durham Region Transit

West – Oakville: Tuesday, November 25, 2014
One-on-one discussions: 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Public meeting: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m

Oakville Town Hall - Oakville and Trafalgar Rooms
1225 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON, L6H 0H3

Closest GO Transit station: Oakville GO Station
For local transit schedule information, visit Oakville Transit

North – York Region: Thursday, December 4, 2014
One-on-one discussions: 6:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Public meeting: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m

York Region Transit Office – Corporate Learning Centre
50 High Tech Road, Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4N7

Closest GO Transit station: Langstaff GO Station
For local transit schedule information, visit York Region Transit

If you are interested in attending a meeting, please RSVP by sending an email to accessibility@metrolinx.com, or call 1-888-438-6646, or 1-800-387-3652 (TTY teletypewriters only).

Rail Trip to Ottawa: Trains, Being Canadian and Hockey!

UPDATE Sunday, October 5th:

We're now leaving Ottawa. The Blueline Taxi in Ottawa is convenient requiring only 30 minutes in advance booking for a wheelchair accessible taxi, it may be because the city is much smaller. The design of the taxis is that wheelchair customers sit in the trunk and I didn't like it since it's much bumpier. I'd recommend the Hampton Inn Ottawa on Conventry Road especially if you're taking the train up since it's less than a 5 minutes car ride away, and for those that may require a roll-in shower there may not be one available at the hotel so check in advance. If you need to rent any additional equipment, Motion Specialties Ottawa would be able to help, we ended up renting a portable hoyer lift which they dropped off and picked up for us. Besides Blueline Taxi, the OC Transpo is accessible, my brother ended up taking the OC Transpo shuttle service to the train station, as there were major bridge construction this weekend. From his experience on the shuttle the buses are fully accessible.

Overall Ottawa is very "governmenty" as the capital of Canada, I'd recommend you to visit Parliament Hill and ByWard Market (not fully accessible) just down the street.

Friday, October 3rd:

The day started off early and we were off to the train station at Union Station. Once we arrived we waited in the VIA Business Lounge before boarding the train. The reason why we were able to access the lounge is because there is typically only one power wheelchair tie down seat in the business class.

We were eventually led down to the train platform and the usher pulled up a portable crank lift which amazed me. The train ride was bumpier than expected and I had to use the washroom but was concerned about the bumpiness. At the Kingston Station stop we quickly made our way to the "accessible" washroom which I barely made it into with my brother. Since we couldn't close the door my mom had to block the view while I completed my business in business class.

I enjoyed the scenic views of Ontario lakes and saw some animals along the way. In business class we were catered to and I had the tilapia which was pretty good. And the staff were friendly and helped us on and off the train professionally.

When we arrived at the Ottawa train station, the Blueline Taxi arrived on-time, however, even though the customer service rep said we would be able to fit a commode chair along with my wheelchair, the taxi driver was unable to accommodate. My brother ended up walking the hotel from the train station with the commode, thankfully it wasn't too far of a walk.

Once we settled in, we decided to go to Parliament Hill it was a sight to see where the Centennial Flame also resides. I was amazed at the architecture and how it was built. What I really enjoyed was the design of the library and the scenic view of the Rideau River.

From there we walked to Byward Market, it reminded me of St. Lawrence Market and ate Mexican food. After a quick bite, we took another Blueline Taxi to the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata for the pre-season game between Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens. The arena is quite accessible, and we sat the 300 level looking down onto centre ice. I wasn't use to looking downward but got into the game as the arena was packed with Sens and Habs fans.

Today we're off to a wedding!

TTC 2014 Public Forum on Accessible Transit

Source: TheGridTO.com

UPDATE: We just returned from the forum. There were lots in attendance this evening with a wide variety of comments. Andy Byford spent an August day in a wheelchair to experience what it's like to commute and found areas such as narrow lane ways, inconsistent signage, subway platform gaps and general public awareness of those with accessible needs as opportunities for the TTC.

Most comments made during the public forum were related to the daily lives of the individuals that rely heavily on the TTC. There were some comments regarding the contracted taxi drivers, which makes up 60% of the Wheel-Trans fleet, and their service quality. I wonder if the taxi companies and TTC mandate the taxi drivers to go through AODA customer services training.

We also received some questions that we brought up during the 1-on-1 sessions with different TTC staff:

Q: What is being done about mid-block stop for new streetcars?
A: TTC will be coordinating with the City for curb cuts for mid-block stops.

Q: What is the progress of the Wheel-Trans cancellation policy?
A: Currently testing 4-hour cancellation, will likely be 6-8hrs. No timeline to when the testing would be completed and new cancellation policy in place.

Q: Why are some Wheeltrans buses empty and won’t pick a passenger up?
A: It depends on the route schedule of the driver and if they have space in their schedule they can call schedulers to check if they can pick up the additional passenger

Q: Why are elevators not accessible to those with limited upper body strength?
A: Must follow regulatory elevator guidelines, will need to bring up this to the appropriate persons in TTC as there’s opportunity with two new stations coming and with over 50% of existing stations that needs to be made accessible.

Overall the forum is an excellent opportunity for customers to voice their opinions good and bad to the team at TTC. There's definitely a growing number of seniors that require accessibility in the transit system and was well represented at the forum this evening. When the actions from the forum is released it will be shared here.

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Transit is without a doubt an integral part of enabling the lives of all. For those with accessible needs transit is incredibly important and without the appropriate infrastructure and culture in place, the system would not enable those that rely on it heavily.

This Wednesday, September 17, TTC will be hosting the 2014 Public Forum on Accessible Transit. This forum will give opportunity for the general public to provide suggestions and insights to improve the accessibility of public transit in Toronto.

We will be there covering the forum. If you have any questions you would like us to bring up, leave a comment below!

Some of the feedback that they've incorporated from the 2013 forum include:

• Upgraded Wheel-Trans online booking system.
• Customers can now input and manage their list of addresses, without calling in.
• Hired seven new reservationists to reduce Wheel-Trans phone booking wait times.
• Improved our Operating procedures:
• Drivers required to check that the ramp functions before leaving the garage.
• Drivers equipped to deploy the ramp manually if the automated system fails mid-route.
• New information decals on all vehicles – installation in progress
• Customer information campaign – coming this Fall.
• Blue seats in Priority Seating areas – over next two years.
• Lowered new subway trains by ½”.
• Identified platform height issues at certain Line 1 stations (e.g. Eglinton).
• TTC is working with ACAT to develop and test solutions to this issue.
• Testing new signage at Bloor-Yonge, including improved elevator signage.
• New signage to be rolled out across subway system.

Date and Location

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

Queen Elizabeth Exhibit Hall

Exhibition Place – 180 Princes’ Boulevard

One-on-One Discussions

6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Take the opportunity to have a conversation with TTC Staff on your own.

Open Public Forum

7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Topics

• Discussion of previous Public Forum concerns and progress made.
• Review of new service initiatives.
• Opportunity for the community to voice concerns or suggestions for accessible transit improvement.