(Toronto, ON) — A dozen community-led organizations condemned a new TTC policy to forcibly remove unhoused people from public transit, and challenged mayoral candidates to invest in approaches to safety based on evidence and care.
In February 2023, TTCriders held a Public Transit Safety Townhall co-organized with a range of community groups. The townhall featured expert perspectives on proactive solutions to transit safety. This report summarizes key messages from that townhall, including solutions that can be implemented now to make the TTC safer for everyone, and challenges mayoral candidates to invest in approaches to safety based on evidence and care.
TTCriders raises concerns regarding the Family of Services program, with our new report "Wheel-Trans Users Need Choice!". Riders with disabilities may face various barriers when needing to appeal their "conditional" status in addition to having only 30 days to begin the process. Adam Cohoon says “(We) cannot and should not be forced onto crowded streetcars, subways, and buses. TTC vehicles are crowded most of the time because service was reduced, and there isn’t enough room for me to get on,”.
Transit advocates are warning thousands of seniors and people with disabilities could soon lose access to door-to-door Wheel-Trans service, if they don’t meet the right eligibility requirements. The TTC has become more accessible in recent years, but the advocacy group TTCriders told CityNews it’s nowhere near where it needs to be.
TTCriders hosted a press conference at Queen's Park alongside MPP Sarah Jama, Toronto councillor Jamaal Myers and advocates with the Toronto Seniors' Forum and Centre for Independent Living, Jane Rowan and David Meyers to say no cuts to Wheel-Trans!
June 5, 2023 (Toronto, ON) – A new report launched on "Independent Living Across Canada Day" warns that thousands of people with disabilities and seniors could lose full access to door-to-door Wheel-Trans service because the provincial government has failed to resource its Accessibility for Ontarians With Disabilities Act (AODA) commitments.
Wheel-Trans users need choice! Thousands of seniors and people with disabilities are being forced onto crowded buses, streetcars, and subways. Under the “Family of Services” program, thousands of Wheel-Trans users will lose access as the TTC screens out up to 50% of Wheel-Trans users from full door-to-door service by 2025. Our report voices the concerns and stories of impacted Wheel-Trans users and calls on the provincial government to expand funding for Wheel-Trans service. Read below and sign the petition to protect Wheel-Trans!
The TTC has unveiled new details about its $1.5 billion overhaul of Bloor-Yonge Station, including a plan to install platform edge doors along the Line 1 subway platform.
TTCriders' Adam Cohoon speaks with Global News about the "degrading" process of having to re-register for Wheel-Trans services. “It’s like we’re filling out a job application,”. "We’re trying to — in this weird, sick way — [put] our worst foot forward.”
TTCriders' Shelagh Pizey-Allen speaks with CP24 regarding safety concerns on the TTC. She states "There really needs to be the right kind of staff within the TTC who are peer-led and trained in de-escalation to respond to people who are having a crisis.”