Transportation

Taxi Ruling a Black Mark for Justice

Times Colonist
October 11, 2017
Re: “Victoria guide-dog owner loses discrimination suit over taxi ride,” Oct. 7.

Silly me. All this time, I have believed that our justice system was based on proof.

At no time in the Graeme McCreath/Victoria Taxi case – I was present throughout both the human-rights tribunal and the
Supreme Court hearings – was any “proof” of driver allergy presented. At the original rights hearing, the driver in question
was absent (“unavailable”) and the Victoria Taxi manager neither produced nor was asked to produce medical documentation for his driver. The transcript doesn’t mention it, either.

Taxi Ruling a Black Mark for Justice. Read full article.

Wheel-Trans users fear new program will force them to use inaccessible TTC

TTC hears concerns about long waits and inaccessible stations at annual meeting ByNatalie Nanowski,
September 20, 2017

Michele Gardner (centre) and Robert Muzzy (right) say broken elevators make it difficult to ride the TTC. (Natalie Nanowski/CBC)

Michele Gardner never uses the TTC. Not because of delays or overcrowding, but because it scares her.

“I really don’t like using the regular transit, especially because I know that it’s not fully accessible,” said Gardner.

Wheel-Trans users fear new program will force them to use inaccessible TTC. Read full article.

Toronto Looking to Crack Down on Misuse of Accessible Parking Permits

by News staff
Posted Jul 25, 2017

The City of Toronto is looking to crack down on drivers who misuse parking permits to park in spots for people with disabilities.

Coun. Joe Mihevc, who is spearheading the movement, is recommending that anyone who applies for an accessible parking permit prove they need it via an independent vetting process similar to one in New York.

Toronto Looking to Crack Down on Misuse of Accessible Parking Permits. Read full article.

TTC Wheel-Trans Eligibility Expands in 2017

Source: Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) Jan 2, 2017

Starting January 1, the TTC’s eligibility criteria for new Wheel-Trans customers are expanding and a new conditional category is being introduced.

To align with the Ontario Human Rights Code and to comply with changes to the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), the TTC will accept applications from persons with cognitive, sensory and mental health disabilities in addition to physical disabilities. Services for existing Wheel-Trans customers will not be impacted as a result of this change.

TTC Wheel-Trans Eligibility Expands in 2017. Read full article.

BRITISH COLUMBIA: Passenger Transportation Board Approves Use of Soft Meters for Taxi Industry with Mandatory Voice Output

Since 2009, Access for Sight-Impaired Consumers has been advocating to have the Passenger Transportation Board (PTB), the government body which regulates the taxi industry throughout BC, to mandate that taxi meters must have the capability for driver activated voice output if requested by a passenger with sight loss.

On November 16th, the PTB amended the rules regarding taxi meters and set forth their policy and rules regarding the use of soft meters in BC.

BRITISH COLUMBIA: Passenger Transportation Board Approves Use of Soft Meters for Taxi Industry with Mandatory Voice Output. Read full article.