Communication #1 – 4th Report Accessible Public Transit Service Advisory Committee

Communication #1

November 27, 2019

4th Report Accessible Public Transit Service Advisory Committee

Thursday November 7, 2019

Those present were: Ms. B. Quesnel – Chair

Ms. L. Boateng

Mr. T. Campbell

Ms. A. Rinn

Mr. D. Whatmore

With regret: Mr. M. Dawthorne – Vice Chair

Ms. D. Capton

Ms. E. Harrison

Ms. S. Oster

Ms. V. Pearson

Also present were: Mrs. K. Paleczny – General Manager

Mrs. K. Burns – Director of Planning

Mr. S. Wilson – Director of Operations

Mr. C. Murphy – Supervisor LCTB

Mrs. C. Roy – Secretary

Mrs. B. Newcombe – Voyago

Mr. R. Goscinniski – Interpreter

At the November 7, 2019 meeting, the Accessible Public Transit Service Advisory Committee:

  • With regard to the Accessibility Plan Update report, copy attached, approved RECOMMENDING to the Commission for consideration when approving the 2020 – 2025 Accessibility Plan.
  1. Include a section in the updated plan that specifically addresses the removal and prevention of barriers.
  2. Create a specific area on the corporate website dealing with accessibility where all information is housed and/or links to other areas of the site are provided. This will provide easier navigation on the site for people seeking information specific to accessibility.
  3. Ensure that development of the actions plans relating to increased marketing and enhanced corporate communication include consultation with the Accessible Public Transit Service Advisory Committee.
  4. Consider additional methods of communicating information with respect to policies and procedures to the public.
  5. Seek additional information from the public with respect to what could be improved with the methods of communication in regard to temporary disruptions.
  6. Prioritize the implementation of smart card readers on specialized service prior to the removal of paper tickets from use.
  7. Provide the City of London, on an annual basis, a list of transit stops with no connecting sidewalks for inclusion in their accessibility plan.
  8. Work with the Ontario Public Transit Association on the communications campaign regarding priority seating and implement the campaign as soon as it is available.
  9. Utilize the additional service hours included in the multi-year budget to extend the service day to match the conventional transit service.
  10. Undertake an assessment of the impacts and issues associated with a move to a shorter booking window. This assessment would include customer consultation and feedback from the Accessible Public Transit Service Advisory Committee.
  11. Undertake an assessment of the issues and impacts associated with the implementation of on-line trip booking.
  12. Continue to ensure that all major retrofits are assessed to ensure that the removal of any existing barriers is considered a priority piece of the project.
  13. Undertake an assessment of the periods of highest non-accommodated on the specialized service to identify areas that would see the additional service hours best utilized. Consult with Accessible Public Transit Service Advisory Committee on the implementation of additional hours on the specialized service included in annual budgets, noting the conventional transit service planning process includes presentation to the Committee as well as a number of opportunities for feedback to be provided.
  14. Consult the Accessible Public Transit Service Advisory Committee with respect to initiatives under consideration as part of the Integrated Services program. the report to the Commission for their review and consideration; and
  1. Administration undertake of an assessment on ride hailing options that would assist customers with visual impairments in utilizing the conventional transit service.
  • With regard to the AODA Update – Service Animal Policy report, copy attached, approved RECOMMENDING the revised policy with respect to service animals on public transit services as noted below to the Commission for implementation;

Pets are not permitted on-board LTC buses.

Service animals are permitted on buses if working in aid of the person making the trip.

Service animals on buses must remain in the care and control of the owner at all times. The owner must be prepared to demonstrate to the Operator how this requirement will be achieved. (i.e. leash, cage, etc.)

This applies as follows:

  1. the animal can be readily identified as one that is being used by the person for reasons relating to the person’s disability, as a result of visual indicators such as the vest or harness worn by the animal; or
  1. the customer provides documentation from a health professional confirming that the person requires the animal for reasons relating to the disability.
  • With regard to the Specialized Service Performance Statistics – September 30, 2019 report, copy attached, approved FORWARDING the report to the Commission for their review and consideration;
  • With regard to the 2020 Accessible Public Transit Service Advisory Committee Meeting Dates report, copy attached, CONFIRMED the dates for 2020 meetings.

NOTED and FILED the following:

  • Letter from F. Khouri re Barriers for Visually Disabled riders on LTC buses
  • Letter from C. Roy re 3rd Report of the Accessible Public Transit Service Advisory Committee;
  • Conventional Transit Service – Accessibility Issues Update report; and
  • Draft 2020 Conventional Transit Service Plan report.

Enclosures

I – Accessibility Plan Update report

II – AODA Update – Service Animal Policy report

III – Specialized Service Performance Statistics – September 30, 2019 report

IV – 2020 Accessible Public Transit Service Advisory Committee Meeting Dates report

Caroline Roy, Secretary, Accessible Public Transit Service Advisory Committee