Accessible Low Floor (ALF)

Posted Friday, January 6, 2012

Universal Accessibility Plan Completed

IBI Group consultants were awarded an RFP to complete a Universal Accessibility Study of Metro Transit’s fixed-route bus and ferry services in late 2010. The study reviewed a number of accessibility-related issues, including:

• existing infrastructure (vehicles, terminals, bus stops, shelters);
• on-board wheelchair and scooter restraints;
• customer communication and information; and
• accessibility guidelines and policies.

Two rounds of public consultations were held in March & May 2011, which, along with other research and best practices, combined to inform short and long-term recommendations to increase the overall accessibility of HRM’s fixed-route transit system.   

IBI recently finalized the Plan, which Metro Transit will bring forward on January 9, 2012 to the Transportation Standing Committee with the staff report below:

Universal Accessibility Plan (pdf)

Staff Report to Transportation Standing Committee (pdf)

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Updated Friday, October 21, 2011

Upcoming Accessibility Policy & Procedure Changes

Metro Transit will be implementing changes to some of its accessibility policies and procedures effective November 21, 2011, as part of a recent settlement and Consent Order with two Nova Scotia Human Rights complainants in wheelchairs over access to transportation services by a person with physical disabilities.

The changes also fit with recommendations forthcoming from the consultant group leading the Universal Accessibility Study commissioned by Metro Transit in late 2010, and feedback received from associated public consultation sessions. The consultant report is expected to be brought to Regional Council this fall for approval.

The upcoming changes effective November 21, 2011 include:

Access:

Accessible Low Floor (ALF) buses will pick up or drop off customers in wheelchairs regardless of the route, so long as the accessible ramp can be lowered to load or unload the customer. A list of the bus stops that are inaccessible, where the ramp cannot be deployed under any circumstance, can be found below.

Inaccessible Bus Stop List (PDF) Inaccessible Bus Stop Criteria (PDF)

New Accessible Service Handbook (PDF)

Sample Bus Stop Signs (PDF)

Important note: As Metro Transit cannot warrant the safety of customers with disabilities disembarking at locations not designated as standard ALF bus stops, it accepts no responsibility for risks to the customer associated with disembarking at these locations. It is incumbent on customers to evaluate, in light of their own individual circumstances, the suitability of disembarking at the selected location.

Personal Care Attendants:

Personal care attendants accompanying mobility-impaired customers will travel for free upon display of proper identification by the customer, to be provided by Metro Transit through an application process with the Access-A-Bus office at 490-6681 or TTY/TDD 490-6664.

Click here to obtain the Personal Care Attendant application form (PDF)

If approved, mobility-impaired customers must present the Personal Care Attendant ID card issued by Metro Transit upon boarding all Accessible Low Floor (ALF) buses.

Snow Clearing:

Snow clearing at the bus stops in front of the Dartmouth Sportsplex next to the Bridge Terminal, and on Mumford Road at the Mumford Terminal, will be improved and increased to a 24 hour priority.

Request Stop:

The Request Stop program will be extended to mobility-impaired customers 24 hours a day, if it becomes reasonably necessary to accommodate them. This would likely occur in situations of adverse weather or for safety reasons.

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What is an Accessible Low Floor (ALF) bus?

ALF buses offer mobility-impaired customers greater freedom and flexibility when  travelling on fixed-route bus service by offering many options and features including:

• No step entry and exit
• Bus lowers to curb level
• Entry and exit access ramp for quick & safe wheelchair access
• 2 wheelchair safety secures per bus
• Extra wide doors & aisles
• Easy to read electronic exterior destination signs
• Features the international accessibility symbol on all 4 sides of the bus

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How do I use an ALF bus?

When using the ALF service, mobility device customers are asked to respect the following guidelines:

Maximum Size Dimensions

• Wheelchairs must not exceed 48"L x 30"W (most manual & some electric wheelchairs can be accommodated)

• Mobility scooters must not exceed the following maximum sizes:

          3-wheel scooter: 40”L x 21.125”W

          4-wheel scooter: 40.25”L x 21.25”W

Note: All mobility scooters will require (4) anchors/tie down points to secure the device on the bus. These can be purchased at Lawton's, Harding or any wheelchair/scooter dealer.

Boarding & Disembarking Procedures

• Customers must be able to independently board and disembark the bus, deposit the fare, and manoeuvre into the allocated wheelchair space.

• If a customer using a mobility device requires additional assistance, they must be accompanied by a personal care attendant; who, with Metro Transit approved identification travels at no extra charge. To register a personal care attendant and obtain proper identification, contact Metro Transit at 490.6681 or TTY/TDD 490.6664.

• If both of the designated accessible spaces on the bus are occupied, or if the bus is full with a standing load and the operator cannot board a customer in a mobility device, the operator will advise the customer to wait for the next ALF bus. The operator will notify the Transit Communications Centre of the situation to alleviate wait times. The operator may ask another customer to voluntarily vacate a designated accessible space for a mobility device customer; however, the operator cannot displace another fare paying customer if they decline to move.

• Mobility-impaired customers are reminded to board and disembark via the front door.

Restraint Procedures

• Customers using scooters must be able to manoeuvre the scooter into the docking area and transfer to a fixed transit seat while travelling

• Wheelchairs must be in good condition, with a webbing loop attached to the main frame whenever possible, to enable the operator to properly secure the mobility device

• All mobility scooters require (4) anchor/tie down points to secure the device on the bus. These can be purchased at local drugstores or mobility device dealers. Operators are responsible for properly restraining the mobility device, using the tie-down system.

• To arrange an orientation session, or if you are uncertain if your wheelchair can be accommodated, or whether you will be able to maneuver into the wheelchair space provided, please contact Metro Transit at 490-4000.

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If I see an ALF bus on a route not designated as accessible can I use it?

Accessible Low Floor (ALF) buses will pick up or drop off customers in wheelchairs regardless of the route, so long as the accessible ramp can be lowered to load or unload the customer. A list of the bus stops that are
inaccessible, where the ramp cannot be deployed under any circumstance, is found above, or by clicking here.

Important Note
Metro Transit cannot warrant the safety of customers with disabilities disembarking at locations not designated as standard ALF bus stops, and accepts no responsibility for risks to the customer associated with disembarking at these locations. It is incumbent on customers to evaluate, in light of their own individual circumstances, the suitability of disembarking at the selected location.

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ALF Brochure - August 2011 (PDF)

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Questions or Concerns?

Call the HRM Call Centre at 490.4000 or e-mail contactHRM@halifax.ca

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