Sun Folds
|
SUNSHOPPER
|
SUNEMPLOYMENT
|
ADVERTISE
|
FACEBOOK
|
LINKEDIN
|
TWITTER
|
INSTAGRAM
Thursday, March 4, 2021
HOME
NEWS
News
Human Interest
Labour & Immigration
Environment
Marine reserve
Economy
Education
Politics
Ministerial Statements
Crime
Breakaway
Weekender
Back in the Day
Sun Girl / Sun Guy
Midweek
Throne Speech 2013
SAGE Report 2013
Year in Review 2013
Budget 2014
Augmented Reality
BUSINESS
Business
Shipping
Retail
Tourism & Hospitality
Finance
Economy
Technology
Columns
Matters in Healthcare
Ask the Expert
Insurance
Press Releases
Law
Boston: Strong Ties to Bermuda
OPINION
Larry Burchall
Letters
Opinion
Shawnette Somner
Burton's Banter
Wise Up
Christopher Famous
Craig Cannonier
Marc Bean
Jeremy Deacon
Elaine Murray
Jonathan Starling
Bryant Trew
Eron Hill
SPORTS
Cricket
Cricket fixtures
Cup Match 2013
Track & Field
Bowling
Tennis
Football
Boxing
Softball
Basketball
Sailing
Equestrian
Martial Arts
Cycling
Squash
Golf
Gymnastics
Triathlon
Rugby
Field Hockey
Swimming
Sports
Pool and Snooker
Olympics
Motor Sports
Youth Sports
Columns
Sports chick
Wells at Wembley
Island Games
Cup Match 2013
World Cup
Cup Match 2014
LIFE
Lifestyle
Movies
Arts & Entertainment
Music
Community
Food
Travel
Fashion
Health and Fitness
Enter contests
Peace Day Contest
Bermemes exclusive
Makeover Contest
Bermuda Festival 2014
FAITH
Faith
Pastor Gary Simons
Walia Ming
Rev. Maria Seaman
Shabnam Jheengoor
NOTICES
Legals & Notices
Marriages
Announcements
Obituaries
Submit an obituary
Advertise
Contact Us
RSS Feeds
FEATURES
Newport Bermuda 2014
Cup Match 2014
Access denied
‘Buses can’t be adapted for wheelchairs’
Byline info is not available
Friday, August 7, 2009 10:15 AM
"Totally useless" and "a blunder" is what wheelchair user Willard Fox is calling the delay in getting 15 wheelchair-friendly buses equipped to service Bermuda's disabled.
Although the buses are all on the road, the side door and wheelchair ramp are not in use as they await "infrastructure changes" to Bermuda's roads.
The fleet of 15 buses, which was unveiled by Premier and Transport Minister Ewart Brown in May, was aimed at allowing wheelchair users more independence when it comes to getting around the island.
However, Mr. Fox, 63, who is also the chairman of the Bermuda Physically Handicapped Association. says they are merely an example of "putting a Band-Aid on a nine-inch cut."
"Simply put, the public transport system cannot be adapted to take wheelchairs," Mr. Fox said. "The Minister brought them in unknown to the handicapped association and unknown to the office for the elderly and disabled, without asking their opinion.
"We would have told him that the bus system cannot be adapted because the roads and sidewalks in America are a standard size, while this is not the case in Bermuda - a sidewalk in Paget is higher than a sidewalk in Warwick."
The buses, which were manufactured in Germany, are known as 'kneeling buses' - meaning they sink down to the ground to allow wheelchairs to board more easily.
A ramp then extends out from the bus to the sidewalk, which is where Mr. Fox says the problems begin.
"The ramp is operated manually by the bus driver, not electrically," said Mr. Fox. "But bus drivers are not always willing to go out to operate it.
"They've spent four or five million dollars on them and they are totally useless to the disabled in wheelchairs due to the infrastructure of Bermuda's road system."
However director of public transport Dan Simmons says he fully aware that Bermuda's infrastructure needs an overhaul and is confident that once these changes have been made wheelchair users will be able to enjoy the buses.
"The buses are working really well," he said. "We have instructed drivers at the moment that the side doors and three-inch ramp not be used - primarily, because the buses have come before we have been able to put in the correct infrastructure to use them.
"Half of the island's bus stops are just a pole stuck in the ground. So not every bus stop is wheelchair accessible.
"We are in the process of creating the appropriate bus stops in lay-bys with the proper signage."
Mr. Simmons says he expects the process to take 18 months.
However, Mr. Fox says he has helped put together a proposal for the Government which offers transport alternatives to the buses.
The Premier received it last month and Mr. Fox hopes to see it passed in the House in November.
Among the suggestions are plans for a dial-a-ride system, which would consist of five mini-buses that go to different parts of the island.
"We want to run a pilot for a year," Mr. Fox said. "The cost would be footed by the government or private sponsors."
Mr. Fox was one of the callers on the Everest DeCosta Talk Show on Wednesday, where the wheelchair-friendly buses were the topic of concern for several listeners.
X
Search only accepts letters and numbers.
MOST READ
Exclusive: Superstar Beres Hammond surprises his biggest fan
Why did lawyer doorstep the Premier?
How Collie Buddz got the girl
The importance of eating three meals a day
Painful chapter in our history revisited
LATEST NEWS
Media reflects on Bermuda Sun closure
Cup Match: What’s open, where and when
Sun closure: Honoured to have led the Sun’s news team
FCO Minister: I have full confidence in the Governor
Swimmer rescued in Bailey’s Bay
PRC status
Should PRC holders get status?
Yes
Some of them
No
Don't know
Tweets by @BDASun
NEWS
BUSINESS
OPINION
SPORTS
LIFE
FAITH
FEATURES
NOTICES
ABOUT US
Sun Folds
|
SUNSHOPPER
|
SUNEMPLOYMENT
|
ADVERTISE
|
FACEBOOK
|
LINKEDIN
|
TWITTER
|
INSTAGRAM
Copyright © 2005-2021 Bermuda Sun Ltd. All Rights Reserved. For more information see our
Terms of Service
.
Software Copyright © 1998-2021 1up! Software, All Rights Reserved
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
##LOC[Cancel]##
{1}
##LOC[OK]##
##LOC[Cancel]##