February 2010 Newsletter
Wheelchair Accessible Transit News
February 2010 By Andrew Gordon Editor
Taxis a Privilege of the Ambulatory?
Currently, in the city of Toronto (and surrounding area) there are no accessible taxis that are run on demand as well as on the metre. The present situation holds that customers who wish to travel via private transit, as opposed to public, must pay a flat rate for their trip. Often, would-be passengers are required to go through a screening process that is lengthy and made up of quite detailed standards for eligibility. This is the standard process for para-transit services, inhibiting any other services from existing (mainly wheelchair accessible “livery or taxi”). The City of Toronto does not and will not issue wheelchair accessible plates to livery or taxi comp! anies. As a result the ability for a non-ambulatory person to ! hail a c ab or make a will call for an accessible metre-run taxi vehicle does not exist in the city of Toronto. Though proposed and a plans drawn, The City of Toronto’s Accessibility Plans as required by the Government of Ontario, there ahs been no movement by the Toronto’s Municipal & Licensing Standards Division “Taxi Industry Unit”.
The "Wheelchair Accessible Transit " Way
All of our drivers are trained and licensed to transport wheelchairs by both the city of Toronto and our own training facility. To ensure that our drivers and accessible vehicles are always kept at the same initial standard which they were first trained, our staff offers refresher courses for our drivers throughout the year coupled with mandatory bimonthly vehicles inspecti! ons.
What Wheelchair Accessible Transit has proposed to the City of Toronto
Wheelchair Accessible Transit is working to force the municipality of Toronto! to make available metre-run, accessible taxis in Toronto. We are making all available efforts to educate the public on the injustices of transportation for people with disabilities, clearly marking where the municipal government is breaking Provincial and Federal laws, and providing solid and permanent solutions to ensure the same access for the people of Toronto living with disabilities.
Who We Are Working With
In our efforts to create a completely accessible Toronto, Wheelchair Accessible Transit has sought the help of a variety of people and Organizations. We are currently discussing issues and petitioning Municipal and Provincial bodies on the matters of accessibility. We have sought the help and are working with activists and finally but very import! antly, entreat the public to petition the government bodies along with us, bringing strength to our voice for a truly accessible Toronto.
How You Can Help!
Wheelchair Accessible Transit will keep you updated on the issues facing the disabled in Toronto and also on the headway we are making with the laws and by-laws affecting the accessible taxi industry. We encourage you to e-mail us with any comments or questions, visit our coming “BLOG” to join in on the discussion and most importantly to petition with us the governing bodies of Toronto and Ontario.
Let us hear what you have to say! Send us an e-mail at info@wheelchairtransit.com, visit our Blog at www.wheelchairtransit.com to discuss what's on your mind and what you think could help.
