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Late buses, long wait times, missed appointments. These may be new issues for commuters riding the LRT, but Para Transpo riders know the feeling.<\/p>\n
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\u201cLRT [riders] have been complaining for two months, but Para Transpo riders have been complaining for years,\u201d said John Redins, a long-time Para Transpo rider and advocate for accessible transport.<\/p>\n
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Para Transpo<\/a> is a reservation-only bus service for Ottawa residents who cannot take conventional transit because of a disability. It is run by OC Transpo, the city\u2019s public transit agency. Passengers pay $3.60 for a standard ride.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n People who use the service don\u2019t like the booking system, its scheduling process or its often-delayed buses. Fed-up Para Transpo riders are now getting organized and mobilizing to press for better service.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n On Nov. 1,\u00a0 Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson announced OC Transpo would receive an additional $3.5 million to help fix issues with the LRT. In total, OC Transpo\u2019s 2020 draft budget allocates $7.5 million to invest in bus services, including the purchase of 19 new buses.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Para Transpo user Kyle Humphrey said he was frustrated by this announcement. \u201cIf they were able to give [$3.5 million] without asking anything to [fix] LRT issues and OC Transpo issues, they can give that money to Para Transpo issues.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He added that city councillors are constantly focusing on the LRT and leaving Para Transpo riders\u2019 concerns unresolved.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/cusjc.ca\/yow\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Kyle-2.jpg” _builder_version=”4.0.6″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.6″ text_font_size=”13px” text_line_height=”1.2em” min_height=”23px” custom_margin=”-24px|||||”]<\/p>\n Kyle Humphrey avoids using Para Transpo whenever he can. He doesn\u2019t have time to wait, he said. Photo by \u00c9milie Warren.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.0.6″ min_height=”285px” custom_margin=”-3px||1px|||”]<\/p>\n \u201cWhen the LRT is down, there’s every single city councillor tweeting … \u2018it’s coming back up, we’re going to do this, we’re going to fix that\u2019,\u201d he said, adding Para Transpo had been \u201cdown for 10 years\u201d and no one had addressed that.<\/span><\/p>\n Para Transpo riders used to advocate for better service independently from each other, said Redins. This year, he said many joined forces and became more organized.<\/span><\/p>\n Redins and other riders launched the <\/span>Para Parity campaign<\/span><\/a> in January 2019, with the help and guidance of the Healthy Transportation Coalition and its co-founder, Trevor Hach\u00e9. The coalition is an advocacy group that focuses on improving the transportation system in Ottawa.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWe want parity with the OC Transpo system and the OC Transpo users,\u201d said Sally Thomas, a former Paralympian and regular Para Transpo rider speaking about the campaign.<\/span><\/p>\n Members of the campaign are mobilizing on social media, attending city council meetings, and trying to attract media attention.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_code _builder_version=”4.0.6″ custom_margin=”-5px|||||”]<\/p>\n My letter to Transit Commission Chair and Vice Chair this morning about #ParaTranspo<\/a> budget. It would be interesting if I get a response or not #ParaParity<\/a> #ottnews<\/a> #ottpoli<\/a> #ottcity<\/a> @OttTransitRider<\/a> @HealthTransport<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/SYRG3od1kN<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 John Redins (@JohnRedins) November 25, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n A matter of priorities<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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