LETTER

Public transit accessibility

 

Public consultations in western Gatineau in mid-October discussed improving our transit system. As a wheelchair user and one of 4.4 million disabled people in Canada, I noticed that not once was accessibility for people with disabilities taken into account in project planning.  Universal accessibility should be the first priority for all infrastructure and social service planning; I was disappointed by the STO’s lack of this priority in planning its expansion to the west. Only one of three solutions presented would ensure accessibility: the tramway.

Only 2.8% of the STO system is 100% accessible at all times, much less than the 100%-accessible OC Transpo. Not one of the three accessible lines (31, 37, 400), which have ramps, priority seating, and visual and auditory stop announcements, for those deaf or blind, serves Aylmer.

When asked how universal accessibility is prioritized in west Gatineau’s public transit during the STO Forum, September 21, the STO replied: "The principles of universal accessibility will be integrated into the system once the scenario has been chosen. At this phase of selecting the scenario and mode, all options are compatible with the principles of universal accessibility." At the recent City Council meeting in Aylmer, the STO’s president brushed off a question about accessibility in our sector’s future transit. These answers show a lack of understanding of the concepts behind universal accessibility.

Not all of today’s options are universally accessible. The STO fleet still includes buses with stairs and without ramps or lifts, and which lack accessible stop announcements -- with no retrofit plans.
 
We need investments in accessible infrastructure, and non-discriminatory service to all in Aylmer. This solution should allow everyone access along the entire length of Aylmer’s  new system. The only solution that solves these issues is the modern tramway. Our mayor has yet to make a public statement on this.  I implore him to consider supporting the tramway for these reasons.

All stops along the tramway could be wheelchair accessible and the technology for stop announcements could be included in the tram purchases. This means that the only viable solution ensuring 100% accessibility is the tramway.
If Bulletin readers believe public transit should be available to all citizens, they can voice their opinion online  (http://www.sto.ca/index.php?id=658&L=en#c8689).

Jenna Roy
Aylmer