New Accessible Transportation Standards cover a lot of ground
Improved accessible transportation services in Winnipeg have been a long time coming. In 2020, the accessibility Advisory Council submitted recommendations for accessible transportation standards to the Minister of Families, Rochelle Spuires.
On February 17, 2023, the provincial government announced its new Accessible Transportation Standards for conventional transit and paratransit as well as vehicles for hire and school buses.
These recommendations are based on advice from the public and support organizations for people living with disabilities.
Winnipeg Transit already has numerous accessibility features in place on its buses including low floor easy access buses, automated announcements for the visually or hearing impaired, priority and courtesy seating, and wheelchair and scooter securement systems.
Teresa Platt, manager of client services at Winnipeg Transit is enthusiastic about being able to meet and potentially exceed these new standards. According to Platt, Winnipeg Transit plans to install fully automated wheelchair securements so that wheelchair users will be able to secure themselves at the press of a button.
Under the new standards, conventional transit operators will undergo emergency preparedness training as well as training in the proper use of mobility equipment.
Platt also said Winnipeg transit plans to hold an open house to invite people with reduced mobility to try out the new features on a parked bus as soon as they are implemented.
Debby McLeod, accessibility coordinator at the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities, is a wheelchair user who relies on Winnipeg Transit Plus. She says the vehicles are fully accessible to people of all mobility levels and the drivers are very well trained.
The only drawback MacLeod pointed out with the services provided by Winnipeg Transit Plus is a shortage of telephone operators. “Customers are often left on hold for an hour or more before they can book their ride,” she said.
According to Melissa Graham, executive director of the Manitoba League of Persons with Disabilities, there have been many positive reactions to these new standards. Some things, however, appear to have been overlooked.
According to Graham, the standards don’t mention the extra fare incurred to a support worker who accompanies a person with reduced mobility in a taxi or a vehicle for hire.
“Charges shouldn't be more for people with disabilities (who need a support worker),” she said.
Another oversight according to Graham is rural areas that don't have a vehicle for hire policy are not required to comply with the standards. This leaves people with reduced mobility living in rural areas at a disadvantage.
All organisations have until 2026 to comply with these standards except for transit operators who have an additional 10 years to upgrade their buses.