By Vincent Ball, Brantford Expositor
Monday, August 1, 2016 4:24:42 EDT PM
Brantford Transit and Brantford Lift together finished last year with a $656,370 deficit.
Getting around the city by bus should be a lot easier, especially for people who are visually-impaired or blind.
An automated call-out system has been added to all Brantford Transit buses at a cost of $56,000.
The new system, which became operational July 23, announces the bus route and direction of travel to passengers waiting at a bus stop. The announcement is made when the bus stops and the driver opens the door.
“Stop announcements provide improved service for many community members such as persons with visual or cognitive disabilities, people who find it hard to read street signs, and tourists,” said Jenny Sawicki, the city’s municipal accessibility plan coordinator. “It also helps passengers who are distracted or unable to see outside due to bad weather or surrounding traffic.
“Announcing all bus stops is required to accommodate passengers with vision impairments but really this is something that improves accessibility for everyone.”
The new call-out system will help those who rely on transit to get to work, appointments, do shopping, visit friends and family and attend events.
“Brantford Transit plays a key role in helping make the city barrier-free for all,” said Mike Bradley, the city’s director of fleet and transit services. “It is imperative we implement accessibility initiatives in a pro-active manner to ensure we are ready to comply with increasing Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act legislative requirements that apply to transit.”
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Reproduced from http://www.brantfordexpositor.ca/2016/08/01/call-out-system-helps-bus-riders