Wheeling onto the New TTC Rockets May Require a Few Tries
Posted by Shima Mirkarimi on Mon, Sep 26, 2011 @ 11:59 AM
Earlier this year, the TTC introduced new subway trains on the Yonge-University-Spadina line. The new design incorporate a number of accessible features:
- Wheelchair/scooter areas: Each car has two accessible areas (12 per train) for wheelchairs, scooters and mobility devices. These multi-purpose areas are equipped with individual fold-down seats that may also accommodate strollers, bicycles, large items, etc.
- Guide strips: Contrasting colour and tactile flooring strips embedded into the floor covering assist sight-restricted passengers to locate doorways and the main center walking aisle. A portion of the stanchions and hand holds are also colour contrasted to make them easier to locate and grasp.
- Passenger entrance doorway: Wide doors offer better access for passenger flow. Furthermore, the access to the wheelchair/scooter areas is enhanced by the elimination of its adjacent windscreen.
- Exterior accessibility indicators: Decals, access symbols and blue lights (2 per car) are mounted on the exterior of the train to indicate the most suitable doorways for passengers using wheelchairs, scooters or mobility devices.
While these accessibility features are welcomed, there is one minor kink with the existing trains that needs to be addressed. The door threshold of the new trains is not always parallel with some of the platforms on the Yonge-University-Spadina line thus sometimes causing problems for people with wheelchairs and mobility devices. The Toronto Star which reported on this issue on September 26th, 2011, followed Jordan Lavoie as he tried to get on one of the new trains at Eglinton Station. As Jordan, explains in the video, his first attempt at boarding the rocket was unsuccessful. On a subsequent visit, accompanied by a Toronto Star video journalist, he had one false start boarding when the wheels on his mobility device went sideways when he could not jump the 5cm jump to the door. Jordan had no problem disembarking at York Mills Station.
The TTC spokepersom, Brad Ross, explains in the article that they are aware of the minor kink and while they look for a solution, he advices those that can not board the Rocket to wait for an older train until the issue has been resolved.
For the complete article please visit the Toronto Star Page: http://www.thestar.com/news/transportation/article/1059486--wheelchair-users-can-t-always-roll-onto-the-rocket?bn=1