You may have noticed the blue-and-white wheelchair symbols on TTC buses and subways - and they don't have the words "Wheel-Trans" written on them.
More passengers with mobility restrictions are going on and off regular buses and subways in their wheelchairs. This is the result of the TTC's Easier Access program, an ongoing project to make buses and subway stations barrier-free.
"I first noticed the accessible buses on St. George Street three years ago, and that made me think of alternatives to using Wheel-Trans," said Art Hutchinson, a wheelchair user who has cerebral palsy. "I began using the subways four months ago, and they afford me the freedom of not having to worry about relying on Wheel-Trans buses to get me to and from work all the time."
The Easier Access program is the first attempt by the TTC to make Toronto's transportation system barrier-free since Wheel-Trans buses were introduced in 1975. The TTC acquired Wheel-Trans in 1988.
"There will always be some customers who will be unable to use accessible conventional transit," said Janet O'Sullivan of Wheel-Trans. As a result, Wheel-Trans will continue to serve those who are less mobile.
"As more people are able to travel on accessible conventional transit, that may provide more opportunities for Wheel-Trans to serve those customers who can only depend on door-to-door service," she said.
The Easier Access program began in 1988 after the TTC outlined initiatives such as upgrading buses with lifts.
The report also called for providing an elevator in each TTC station. So far, only 10 of the 66 stations have elevators.
All funding comes from the city.
The program has created new options for some people who have been forced to rely on the not-always-convenient Wheel-Trans.
"With Wheel-Trans, you have to book rides a day in advance, but I enjoy the spontaneity of using the (conventional) buses," said Dianne Trottier, who has been riding on the upgraded buses since 1997.
Trottier, who has osteogenesis imperfecta, or brittle bones, said driver attitudes were more of a concern to her than personal safety.
"I initially found driver attitudes to be difficult when I started riding on these buses," she said. But this has improved now that more disabled people are taking advantage of conventional public transit.
Another incentive outlined in the TTC plan was to offer an optional tie-down for wheelchair passengers beside the regular seats.
"It prevents disabled passengers from feeling ostracized, because they are sitting beside the other riders," said Michelle DuBoulay, who has been taking advantage of Easier Access since 1997.
Another issue is how people in wheelchairs pay their fares.
Even though she has brittle bones, DuBoulay is mobile enough that she can reach the ticket drop boxes, unlike many people with disabilities.
"I can see some people having difficulty reaching them, but this was never a problem for me," she said.
"The ticket boxes are up too high at many of the stations," agreed Hutchinson. His cerebral palsy makes it difficult for him to reach them.
"If (the TTC) gains consistency with these initiatives, then reaching the boxes would be better for anyone (with a disability)."
One of the most common complaints addressed by some wheelchair users is that the subway station elevators break down frequently. O'Sullivan denied the TTC has a major problem.
"The breakdowns are well within the industry standards, which is estimated at 2.25 breakdowns per unit per month," she said.
Last month, the TTC introduced elevators and accessible subway routes at the St. George, Bathurst, Kennedy, Finch and Kipling stations. There are 35 accessible bus routes, including four community bus routes that form a north/south and east/west grid.
"The current plan includes upgrading 23 stations, along with the five Sheppard-area stations currently under construction, by the year 2003," O'Sullivan said.
Installing an elevator in an existing subway station costs about $1.5 million. The cost of an upgraded bus is about $420,000.
"The major obstacle now is getting more disabled people to use these new developments in public transportation, because many of them are afraid to try them out," Trottier said.
"If they believe they have equal rights, they should believe they can take advantage of regular public transportation."
