Speech: Transit's Easier Access Bus Service
Eleanor Hands, a member of the City's accessibility advisory committee, recently spoke to Community Living Kingston outlining the evolution of Kingston Transit's easier access bus service. The text of Ms. Hands' speech is below.
Hello. My name is Eleanor and I would like to thank [Grand Master] Sherry for inviting me to come and talk to you about Kingston Transit.
I would first like to tell you about me, and why I was asked to come today. I am a member of The City of Kingston Accessibility Advisory Committee. The committee was set up in accordance with the Ontarians with Disabilities Act. As a committee we are responsible for advising City Council about the preparation, implementation and effectiveness of its annual Accessibility Plan.
Three years ago after seeing an announcement in the paper that city council were looking for people to volunteer their time to sit on different committee's.
I thought, I would like to work on the Accessibility Committee, so I sent in application and much to my surprise I received a letter saying I had been accepted. My goal from day 1 was to make Kingston Transit accessible. I knew it would be a huge job, but I was willing to work on it one step at a time.
Let me tell you about some of these steps. First, I am proud to say that Kingston Transit now has a plan to be 100% accessible by 2015. Second, at the moment Kingston Transit has 46 buses, but only 21 are low floor buses. As the buses are replaced, they will be low floor buses.
Thirdly and the most exciting for me is the "easier access" bus route that was started on April 3rd of this year. Our group has worked for the past 2 ½ years with Transit to get Route 1 partially accessible. Unfortunately this first step is only for people with walkers or canes, but I will tell you later about Route 1 becoming wheelchair accessible. Because route 1 is not yet accepting wheelchairs, it is called "easier access" bus route. Partially accessible means if you have a walker, or cane, or look like you need a little assistance, you can go to a bus stop on Route 1 and the bus driver will lower the bus, which is level with the curb, and you can walk right on.
When you get on the bus, with a walker, the driver will escort you to your seat at the front of the bus and if there is someone sitting on those seats the driver will ask them to move to another seat, then he or she will lift the seat, and your walker will be stored there.
Route 1 starts at Montreal St and the 401. It winds its way down town, out to the Kingston Centre, then off to the Cat. Centre, and goes to the west side of Kingston. It then winds its way back along Bath Road to The Kingston Centre, back downtown and finally back to Montreal St. and 401.
I think the most exciting news is that Route 1 will be wheelchair friendly on Thursday, November 16th, this is how it will work. You can go to any stop on Route 1, when the bus approaches, remember that the ramp has to come out of the bus, so do not approach the bus till the ramp is down. Once the ramp is down it is your responsibility to get yourself onto the bus, then the driver will help you strap yourself in. There will be 2 spots at the front of the bus, one rear facing and one front facing. Like most new programs there will be little "problems" to work out, the drivers have all been trained to make your trip safe, if after riding the bus you have a suggestion, feel free to phone or e-mail transit, with your help and co-operation this route will be a success.
We know for many of you this will be a new experience, so on Thursday, November 16th we are having 3 training sessions, this means that you can come to one of the following places, a low floor bus with be there. After Katherine [McCoy, Kingston Transit supervisor] explains the plan for using this bus, you will all be given a chance to access and exit the bus, ask questions and get used to using Route 1. The following places will be used:
- Rideaucrest Towers 205 Rideau St., Nov. 16th -9.30 a.m. - 10.30 a.m.
- Weller Arms Apt. 65 Daly St. Nov 16th - 1 p.m. - 2 p.m.
- John Counter Place, 722 John Counter Blvd. 2.15 p.m. - 3.15 p.m.
I think that you will agree that even though we have more to do, Kingston Transit is making progress. As a volunteer I have no power to make changes myself, but the staff at Transit wants to hear your suggestions. Let's take the time now and discuss the issues. I will be happy to answer any of your questions and will make sure your questions and concerns get back to Transit staff. Again, thank you for inviting me. Do you have any questions?
