During the past couple of weeks, I have heard comments at various meetings regarding the need for more “disabled parking” throughout Eureka. It triggered more of a thought from a commentary I listened to on KINS Radio for more disabled parking in Old Town.
It is not more “disabled parking” that is needed, but less abuse of the “parking privilege” that is needed. One only needs to look closer and you see individuals jumping out of vehicles parked in the disabled parking that have no obvious need (Yes, we have good and bad days.). Disabled parking was originally started for those with mobility difficulties.
Instead of looking for additional parking for the disabled, why not address the need for more public transportation that provides a more convenient use in the Old Town area (throughout the community as a matter of fact)? Promote the addition of feeder routes to the larger system, as well as having the transit system provide more service during the hours of operation.
The addition of disabled parking in Old Town is not needed; but the addition of a transit system that is used and supported by the community is what is needed.
Showing posts with label HTA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label HTA. Show all posts
Monday, December 29, 2008
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Need for Better Bus Stops
Social Service Transportation
Advisory Council of Humboldt County
427 F Street, Suite 220
Eureka, CA 95501
I am writing in regards to the access provided to the wheelchair user by the five new diesel-electric hybrid buses purchased and put into operation in May/June, 2007.
Recognizing the need for the buses and the future savings this provides the community of Humboldt County to its transit users, I feel they are very good investments. But, even though they have provided savings and eliminated the need for mechanized lifts for wheelchair passengers, they have developed poor access for the wheelchair user using manual chairs (Speaking with a couple others using power chairs, there also is some difficulty when first boarding.).
This difficulty appears at various designated bus stops. For at stops with little space for the bus to use the lift, the bus must pull away from the curb to allow the chair to have access. In doing this, the ramp is then at an unmanageable or difficult slope making it difficult to back on (I personally can not see how a person would board the bus at designated stops with no sidewalk or raised platform. Stops without sidewalks power chair users have difficulties because of the immediate incline of the ramp.).
I have also needed some assistance boarding the bus at a few stops. In all cases the driver has had no problem with this, but there has been a couple instances that the driver refused assistance.
The need for assistance would be eliminated if the bus could kneel lower, or the bus stops had appropriate space for loading chairs (There are stops that wheelchairs can not use independently.). There is a strong need to bring bus stops up to compatible use by individuals using manual wheelchairs and eliminate the need to having the drivers provide something as simple as a gentle pull onto the bus.
Charlie
Advisory Council of Humboldt County
427 F Street, Suite 220
Eureka, CA 95501
I am writing in regards to the access provided to the wheelchair user by the five new diesel-electric hybrid buses purchased and put into operation in May/June, 2007.
Recognizing the need for the buses and the future savings this provides the community of Humboldt County to its transit users, I feel they are very good investments. But, even though they have provided savings and eliminated the need for mechanized lifts for wheelchair passengers, they have developed poor access for the wheelchair user using manual chairs (Speaking with a couple others using power chairs, there also is some difficulty when first boarding.).
This difficulty appears at various designated bus stops. For at stops with little space for the bus to use the lift, the bus must pull away from the curb to allow the chair to have access. In doing this, the ramp is then at an unmanageable or difficult slope making it difficult to back on (I personally can not see how a person would board the bus at designated stops with no sidewalk or raised platform. Stops without sidewalks power chair users have difficulties because of the immediate incline of the ramp.).
I have also needed some assistance boarding the bus at a few stops. In all cases the driver has had no problem with this, but there has been a couple instances that the driver refused assistance.
The need for assistance would be eliminated if the bus could kneel lower, or the bus stops had appropriate space for loading chairs (There are stops that wheelchairs can not use independently.). There is a strong need to bring bus stops up to compatible use by individuals using manual wheelchairs and eliminate the need to having the drivers provide something as simple as a gentle pull onto the bus.
Charlie
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