Guest blog post by Jane Rowan about the "Family of Services" program, a change that will take choice away from Wheel-Trans users and force them to take the conventional TTC service (bus, subway, streetcar) for some or all parts of their trips. Learn more here or contact [email protected] to share your "Family of Services" story and organize with TTCriders.
"The new Wheel-Trans system wanted me to switch rides 5 times"
"A dear friend and fellow member of a group I belong to passed away. I made it a point of going to her live funeral. Luckily, I could get a direct trip down to the church, but no matter what I did could not get one home, so I had a family of services trip home. At 10 minutes before the due time, I got a call reminding me to be in place 5 minutes before the pick up time. I obeyed. Unfortunately for me, I was in a locked Church, so I would not be able to get back in if I needed so I went out exactly 5 minutes before my pick-up time. It was very cold outside. My pickup was 15 minutes late. By the time he arrived, my hands and face were numb. Lesson learned. Do not go outside until you see the vehicle. When it is that cold why are we expected to stand outside with no chair, and no shelter? During the winter, this service should not exist.
Yesterday I had an appointment at Toronto Western Hospital in the mid-morning. Upon booking my Wheel-Trans ride, I tried again through the Family of Services. I thought what can go wrong on a working day with rain/freezing rain? I thought. I bused to the subway station where my drive was sitting waiting for me. I arrived on time and thought good omen. I had to push the Specialist to finish me at least 15 minutes to pick up. When leaving, the Receptionist at his office said “next time, book three hours between an appointment and a pick up." Anyway, when I got to the pickup door, he was not there but parked on the street instead of the driveway. That is o.k. as I saw him. He dropped me off at the Bathurst Subway station. I went down and caught my subway headed east, and as soon as we pulled out of the station the announcement stated, “there is an incident on the eastbound line, so you will need to catch a shuttle bus.” We had to exit at St. George. When I made it to the pickup spot there were crowds. No accommodation for seniors with canes. After watching two buses fill up with young folks, I signalled the TTC employee on duty and told him I could not stand anymore and would need to get on a bus soon or be given a seat. He did the right thing and held back the crowds to allow me to board the bus first and get a blue seat. Did I tell you I was standing out when it was raining? I would say this transfer was about half an hour. The shuttle went all the way to Broadview, so I was lucky I only had to board one more vehicle. Overall, this ride took from 12:15 to about 2:30 pm. I am exhausted, my knees are bone on bone and let us put it this way, I needed a drink!
The weekend is coming, and I am hoping for a direct ride to my mother's Retirement Home in Etobicoke. So, I went online. Firstly, the computer decided on a Family of Services. They were picking me up at home at 11:30 am, then taking me to the Yonge Sheppard Wheel-Trans stop. I would then board a Sheppard West bus, and take it to Jane and Sheppard. There, I would catch another bus going South on Jane until I got to Lawrence West and Jane. There, I could catch one of two buses which would take me to my mother's. The time for the trip is 2 hours. Would it be easy switching rides five times? Are there seats and cover at all change locations? The trip home would take me to the subway to catch the train and then ride across to Broadview and catch a bus north to Eglinton and Winford Drive. This trip would start at 3:30 and get me home in an hour. Now we have to assume the subway is working or not in trouble. Overall, the trip to see my 98-year-old mom would take 3 hours for my visit allowed of one hour. Imagine that? I said no to this opportunity and thank God, got a direct trip both ways with a timing total of a half-hour each way.
Please could someone at TTC figure out a better, safe way for me to travel?"
- Guest blog post by Jane Rowan
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