Report to / Rapport au:

Transit Committee /

Comité du transport en commun

and Council / et au Conseil

9 February 2010 / le 9 février 2010

Submitted by / Soumis par: City Council / Conseil municipal

Contact / Personne-ressource : Diane Blais,
Committee Coordinator / Coordonnatrice de comité,

City Clerk and Legal Services / Direction du greffier et des services juridiques

580-2424, ext. / poste : 28091, Diane.Blais@ottawa.ca

City Wide / à l'échelle de la ville

Ref. N°: ACS2010-CCS-TTC-0002

SUBJECT: PRIORITY SEATING - MANAGING THE FRONT OF THE BUS

OBJET: SIÈGES PRIORITAIRES – GESTION DE L’AVANT DE L’AUTOBUS

SENIORS ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Transit Committee recommend to Council:

1. That the City, in revising the proposed policy and its amendments concerning the Priority Seating – Managing the Front of the Bus, clarify that safety and accessibility for all is ensured by stating that the bus aisles should be clear of all mobility devices when a bus is in motion;

2. That the Priority/Cooperative Seating Area be prioritized as follows:

a. Persons using wheelchairs or scooters;

b. Persons with disabilities, seniors and people with walkers; and

c. Children in strollers;

3. That the maximum size of the stroller is defined as 122cm (48”) long by 60 cm (24”) wide. Oversized strollers and jogging strollers will not be allowed on buses; and

4. That OC Transpo be requested to examine the feasibility of expanding the priority seating area at the front of the bus by making more accessible spaces available.

ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

That the Transit Committee recommend Council amend Recommendation 2 of the Priority Seating – Managing the Front of the Bus report to add:

1. That Fold and Stow be the default policy and strongly encouraged with the public. An exception would be allowed for double strollers holding two child occupants (a stroller size parameter be established to curtail obstructions); and

2. That should the operator allow the boarding of an open stroller, then:

a. An open stroller carrying a child must be placed in a wheelchair position if available;

b. Should a wheelchair position not be available, open strollers will be allowed in the aisle unless they interfere with other passengers or with the safe movement of passengers within the transit vehicle; and

c. Should an open stroller be in a wheelchair position and a person using a wheelchair boards and needs that position, the customer with the stroller will be required to move.

RECOMMANDATIONS DU COMITÉ CONSULTATIF SUR LES PERSONNES ÂGÉES

Que le Comité du transport en commun recommande au Conseil :

1. Que la Ville, lorsqu’elle révisera la politique proposée et les amendements concernant les Sièges prioritaires – Gestion de l’avant de l’autobus, précise en termes clairs que la sécurité et l’accessibilité de tous seront assurées en veillant à ce que les allées centrales des autobus soient libres de toute aide à la mobilité personnelle lorsque les autobus circulent :

2. Que la section des sièges prioritaires soit réservée avant tout aux personnes suivantes :

a. les personnes qui se déplacent au moyen d’un fauteuil roulant ou d’un triporteur;

b. les personnes ayant un handicap, celles qui utilisent une marchette et les aînés; et

c. les enfants en poussette;

3. Que les dimensions maximales des poussettes soient de 122 cm (48 po) de longueur sur 60 cm (24 po) de largeur. Les poussettes surdimensionnées et les poussettes de jogging ne seront pas permises dans les autobus; et

4. Qu’OC Transpo soit prié d’examiner la possibilité d’augmenter le nombre de places prioritaires à l’avant des autobus.

RECOMMANDATIONS DU COMITÉ CONSULTATIF SUR L’ACCESSIBILITÉ

Le Comité du transport en commun recommande au Conseil de modifier la recommandation 2 par l’ajout des énoncés suivants :

1. la politique consistant à plier et à ranger la poussette représentera la norme que les usagers seront fortement encouragés à respecter, exception faite des poussettes doubles transportant deux enfants (des dimensions maximales devraient être prévues pour éviter que ces poussettes n’obstruent l’allée); et

2. si le chauffeur autorise une poussette ouverte à bord de l’autobus, alors :

a. la poussette ouverte dans laquelle se trouve un enfant doit être placée dans l’espace réservé aux fauteuils roulants si cet espace est vacant;

b. si l’espace réservé aux fauteuils roulants est occupé, la poussette ouverte pourra occuper l’allée à moins qu’elle ne nuise aux autres passagers ou au déplacement sécuritaire des passagers à l’intérieur du véhicule de transport en commun; et

c. si une poussette ouverte se trouve dans l’espace réservé aux fauteuils roulants et qu’une personne en fauteuil roulant monte à bord et requiert cet espace, l’utilisateur de la poussette doit le lui céder.

BACKGROUND

On 9 December 2009, Council received Recommendation 1 of the Transit Committee with respect to the report entitled “Priority Seating – Managing the Front of the Bus” (ACS2009-ICS-TRA-0019 attached as Document 1). By Motion 80/6, Council referred Recommendation 2 (set out below for ease of reference) to the Seniors and the Accessibility Advisory Committees, to report back to the Transit Committee and Council no later than February 2010.

Recommendation 2 of the report “Priority Seating – Managing the Front of the Bus”

“2. Approve that the new stroller policy be amended so that:

a. An open stroller carrying a child must be placed in a wheelchair position if available;

c. Should an open stroller be in a wheelchair position and a person using a wheelchair boards and needs that position, the customer with the stroller will be required to move.”

DISCUSSION

The two Advisory Committees considered Recommendation 2 as directed by Council and have provided their recommendations in this report.

CONSULTATION

At their respective meetings of 11 and 20 January 2010, the Seniors Advisory Committee and the Accessibility Advisory Committee considered Recommendation 2 of the “Priority Seating – Managing the Front of the Bus” report. Copies of their full resolutions are contained as Documents 1 and 2 to this report.

Transit Services

The principle of staff’s proposed policy is to remove strollers from the aisles by placing them in wheelchair positions and/or having customers fold and stow their strollers upon boarding, while holding the child on their lap for the duration of the trip. If a person using a wheelchair requires the wheelchair position, then the open stroller would be folded at that time. Double strollers (occupied by two children) would be required to use a wheelchair position at all times and would never be required to vacate the wheelchair position. This policy ensures that the aisles are kept clear at all times, leading to a safer bus environment for all customers, both moving and standing.

The motion passed at Transit Committee proposes to amend staff’s recommended policy such that open strollers would be allowed in the aisles, providing the area is safe for customers, and would only require a customer to fold and stow upon request by the operator. Strollers may be placed in a wheelchair position, but would be required to vacate the wheelchair position should a person using a wheelchair require that position. The open stroller would then be required to move to the aisle, providing it is deemed safe.

The Committee’s recommendation reflects the current practice, but based on the number of complaints by customers, and the sensitive nature of conflicts reported by operators, a more clearly defined policy is required. The advantage of staff’s proposed policy is the operator’s ability to communicate the stroller requirement to the customer prior to boarding, rather than attempting to negotiate the outcome later, when the bus environment changes.

As a result of the motion passed by SAC, and the result of the lengthy discussion and consultation with the AAC, staff believes that both advisory committees support staff’s proposed stroller policy and that they would prefer a more stringent policy. Staff, therefore, recommend that Transit Committee support the original proposed stroller policy.

LEGAL/RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

There are no legal/risk management impediments to the implementation of the recommendations of either the Accessibility Advisory Committee or the Seniors Advisory Committee. However, should the Transit Committee approve the recommendations of the Seniors Advisory Committee, please note that:

1. The policy of prioritization proposed by the Seniors Advisory Committee in its second recommendation is sufficiently different from the provisions of the City’s Transit By-law that an amendment to the By-law to establish that priority would be recommended. Section 18 of that By-law provides that, “a person with a disability, an expectant mother, a person with a visible need for priority seating, a person with a child in a carriage or stroller, a person with a Priority Seating Card or a person with an Assistant Card is entitled to priority seating on a front bench seat but is not guaranteed a seat.” While the By-law includes those listed as a single group, in need of priority seating, the Seniors Advisory Committee recommendation creates a hierarchy of those entitled to priority seating; and

2. From a practical point of view, and to a lesser extent from a legal point of view, it will be difficult for OC Transpo and its drivers to implement that hierarchy, or prioritization of seating, as suggested by the Seniors Advisory Committee in its second recommendation. While persons using wheelchairs and scooters are immediately identifiable, and can be given first priority, it will be difficult to always identify correctly all of those “persons with disabilities, and seniors” who may come within the second group in the proposed priority list.

RURAL IMPLICATIONS

N/A

FINANCIAL IMPLCATIONS

There are no financial implications arising from these recommendations.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

Document 1 - Memo dated 12 January 2010 from the Seniors Advisory Committee

Document 2 - Memo dated 27 January 2010 from the Accessibility Advisory Committee

Document 3 - “Priority Seating – Managing the Front of the Bus” (ACS2009-ICS-TRA-0019)

To / Destinataire

Chair and Members, Transit Committee

Members of Council

File/N° de fichier:

ACS2009-ICS-TRA-0019

From / Expéditeur

Chair, Accessibility Advisory Committee

Subject / Objet

Priority Seating – Managing the Front of the Bus

Date: 27 January 2010

At its meeting on 20 January 2010, the Accessibility Advisory Committee considered the following motion, referred by Council on 9 December 2009:

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Council refer Recommendation 2 regarding the new stroller policy to the Seniors Advisory Committee and the Accessibility Advisory Committee, to report back to Transit Committee and Council no later than February 2010.

Recommendation 2:

Approve that the new stroller policy be amended so that:

a. An open stroller carrying a child must be placed in a wheelchair position if available.

c. Should an open stroller be in a wheelchair position and a person using a wheelchair boards and needs that position, the customer with the stroller will be required to move.

After considerable discussion, the Committee approved the following motion:

The Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends that Recommendation 2 of the staff report be amended by adding:

1. That Fold and Stow be the default policy and strongly encouraged with the public. An exception would be allowed for double strollers holding two child occupants ( a stroller size parameter be established to curtail obstructions); and

2. Should the operator allow the boarding of an open stroller, then:

a. An open stroller carrying a child must be placed in a wheelchair position if available.

c. Should an open stroller be in a wheelchair position and a person using a wheelchair boards and needs that position, the customer with the stroller will be required to move.

An extract of the Draft Minute is appended. Should you have any questions, you may direct them through the Committee Coordinator, Carole Langford, at 613-580-2424 x 28934.

Original signed by

Carole Langford

Coordinator, Accessibility Advisory Committee

Carole Langford

cc: Members, Accessibility Advisory Committee

Members, Seniors Advisory Committee

Nancy Schepers, Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure Services & Community Sustainability Portfolio

Alain Mercier, General Manager, Transit Services

Vicky Kyriaco, Manager, Transit Marketing & Customer Service

Accessibility advisory

committee

Extract of

Draft minutes 32

20 january 2010

comitÉ consultatif sur

l’accessibilitÉ

extrait dE L’ÉBAUCHE

procès-verbal 32

le 20 janvier 2010

PRIORITY SEATING - MANAGING THE FRONT OF THE BUS

SIÈGES PRIORITAIRES – GESTION DE L’AVANT DE L’AUTOBUS

ACS2009-ICS-TRA-0019 City Wide/à l'échelle de la Ville

Vice-Chair Brown informed the Committee that the above-noted report was referred by Council to this Committee as well as the Seniors Advisory Committee (SAC). He noted that SAC passed a resolution, which was distributed to Committee and is held on file with the City Clerk’s office pursuant to the City of Ottawa Records Retention and Disposition By-law.

Vicky Kyriaco, Manager, Transit Marketing and Customer Services recalled that she presented to AAC in the Fall 2009 to discuss cooperative seating, which is a communications initiative to help people interact more easily in the front of the bus and also help operators with policy requirements. The report regarding cooperative seating rose before Transit Committee and the stroller policy was a key component of managing the front of the bus. The Transit Committee voted in favour of amending the staff recommendation so that strollers would be allowed in the aisle if the operator deemed it safe. Upon consideration at Council, it was referred for review to both advisory committees. The PowerPoint presentation is also held on file with the City Clerk’s office pursuant to the City of Ottawa Records Retention and Disposition By-law.

Members discussed the size of strollers, policies in other cities regarding fold and stow, fire safety, and the possibility of installing racks for strollers. Ms. Kyriaco

indicated that the racks are only in the spring and summer months and highlighted that strollers would be too dirty if racks were to be considered at the front of buses.

Dianne Breton, Member of the Seniors Advisory Committee (SAC) noted that SAC looked at the policy and was in support of the City’s motion. She explained that the SAC motion defines the size of strollers and prioritizes in three categories.

Member McMahon said that he liked the SAC motion and supported that the fold and stow policy should be a priority. After further discussion, the Committee approved the following motion:

Moved by B. McMahon,

The Accessibility Advisory Committee recommends that Recommendation 2 be amended to add:

Accessibility advisory

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Extract of

Draft minutes 28

20 january 2010

comitÉ consultatif sur

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extrait dE L’ÉBAUCHE

procès-verbal 28

le 20 janvier 2010

That Fold and Stow be the default policy and strongly encouraged with the public. An exception would be allowed for double strollers holding two child occupants ( a stroller size parameter be established to curtail obstructions); and

1. Should the operator allow the boarding of an open stroller, then:

a. An open stroller carrying a child must be placed in a wheelchair position if available.

c. Should an open stroller be in a wheelchair position and a person using a wheelchair boards and needs that position, the customer with the stroller will be required to move.

CARRIED

YEAS (7) : Members J. Donegani, M. Brault, S. Brunet, A. Mically, H. Lenthall, B. McMahon, M. Ombiga

NAYS (5): Members B. Brown, T. Gilhen, K. Jordan, L. Griffis and C. Gardner

1. Priority Seating - Managing The Front Of The Bus

Sièges Prioritaires – Gestion De L’avant De L’autobus

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS AS AMENDED

That Council:

1. Receive this report for information.

2. Approve that the new stroller policy be amended so that:

a. An open stroller carrying a child must be placed in a wheelchair position if available.

c. Should an open stroller be in a wheelchair position and a person using a wheelchair boards and needs that position, the customer with the stroller will be required to move.

Recommandations modifiées du comité

Que le Conseil :

1. Prenne connaissance du présent rapport pour information.

2. Que la nouvelle politique en matière de poussette soit modifiée de façon à stipuler que :

a. une poussette ouverte avec un enfant doit être placée dans l’espace réservé au fauteuil roulant si possible.

b. si les espaces réservés aux fauteuils roulants ne sont pas disponibles, les poussettes ouvertes seront permises dans l’allée à moins qu’elles ne gênent les autres passagers ou qu’elles entravent le déplacement sécuritaire des passagers dans le véhicule de transport en commun.

c. Si une poussette ouverte occupe l’espace réservé à un fauteuil roulant et qu’une personne en fauteuil roulant monte à bord et requiert cet espace, le passager avec la poussette devra se déplacer.

Documentation

1. Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure Services and Community Sustainability, report dated 10 November 2009 (ACS2009-ICS-TRA-0019).

2. Extract of Draft Minute, 18 November 2009 (Immediately follows the report).

Report to/Rapport au :

Transit Committee

Comité du transport en commun

10 November 2009 / le 10 novembre 2009

Submitted by/Soumis par : Nancy Schepers, Deputy City Manager/Directrice municipale adjointe, Infrastructure Services and Community Sustainability/Services d 'infrastructure et Viabilité des collectivités

Contact Person/Personne ressource : Vicky Kyriaco-Wilson,
Manager, Marketing and Customer Service

Planning and Growth Management/Urbanisme et Gestion de la croissance

(613) 842-3636 ext. 2435, vicky.kyriaco-wilson@ottawa.ca

City Wide/à l'échelle de la Ville

Ref N°: ACS2009-ICS-TRA-0019

SUBJECT:	PRIORITY SEATING - MANAGING THE FRONT OF THE BUS

OBJET :	Sièges prioritaires – Gestion de l’avant de l’autobus

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

That the Transit Committee receive this report for information.

RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

Que le Comité du transport en commun prennent connaissance du présent rapport.

BACKGROUND

The front seating area of the bus has a number of features designed to accommodate the needs of a variety of customers who have special accessibility requirements. With wider aisles, convertible seats and specially positioned stanchions, this area is designed to assist those members of the community who need to sit and maintain control over their devices, as well as providing a larger area for standing passengers.

Priority Seating is a designated seating area where people who cannot stand on a moving bus are entitled to sit. People with such needs include: persons using wheelchairs and other mobility devices; people with children that may or may not be in strollers; pregnant women; seniors; people with injuries; and, people with invisible disabilities. People sitting in the Priority Seating area are expected to vacate the seats when a customer who fits the description of one who would need Priority Seating embarks, or if a Priority Seating Card is presented.

By-law 2007-268 governs Priority Seating and is a vehicle for issuance of fines should people fail to comply with the rules of Priority Seating. Operators will often announce that Priority Seating space is required.

OC Transpo has received numerous complaints from customers and operators about the challenges customers face in the front of the bus. There is a safety concern for all passengers, including: manoeuvring around a variety of devices (particularly strollers); difficulty for persons with disabilities to easily gain access to special seating; people being unable to proceed to the back of the bus due to bottlenecks in the Priority Seating area; and, loss of space for standing passengers. There is also the issue of customers not vacating the Priority Seating area, with operators being required to intervene more often than before.

With Council’s commitment to providing accessible transit to people in Ottawa, and the increasing number of people requiring special seating, combined with larger strollers, Priority Seating and the stroller policy were identified as being key components in ensuring that operators and customers have clear rules to follow while using the front seating space of the bus.

DISCUSSION

Staff created an internal committee to review how other transit agencies were handling similar issues from Priority Seating to stroller policies. Communication components such as bus decals and other marketing material were reviewed. Stroller policies varied but could be generally grouped into three areas:

1) Special stroller spaces were made in the bus and/or open strollers could occupy a wheelchair space on a “first come, first serve” basis;

2) Open strollers were allowed on board but operators could ask people to fold and stow if required; and,

3) All strollers were expected to fold and stow immediately upon boarding.

The challenge of encouraging people to give up their seats is one that is prevalent in most properties. At one time, Priority Seating was referred to as Courtesy Seating, and the expectation was that people would take it upon themselves to “do the right thing” and give up their seat for those who needed them most. Over time, however, it appeared that fewer individuals were prepared to give up their seats without additional prompting. They simply did not notice others on the bus or refused to do so out of sheer disregard for other bus riders.

Courtesy Seating progressed to Priority Seating and by-laws were instituted as a hard-line approach to prompting riders to give up their seats. At OC Transpo, this by-law is seldom enforced except in particularly difficult cases where a number of other regulations have already been broken by the individual. While the by-law is one vehicle that could be further exploited to prompt attention to the issue, it is seldom wise to pit one group of customers against another. Enforcing the by-law as a means of influencing people’s behaviour (in this case) would have the undesirable effect of creating discomfort and further alienation between people with disabilities and those without disabilities.

OC Transpo’s strategy for encouraging people to give up their seats will be geared to creating a sense of community and co-operation among riders and to give operators more clearly defined tools to manage the front of their bus.

Co-operative Seating

The seating area at the front of the bus will be named Co-operative Seating, and will be visually identifiable by customers. By creating the “theatre effect”, clearly defining the area using decals and seat identification, customers who do not need special seating will be prompted to move to the back of the bus, while those customers choosing to sit in the defined Co-operative Seating area would be shown the behaviour expected of them.

Priority Seating then becomes a special priority group of customers within Co-operative Seating. We will maintain the Priority Seating By-law and Priority Seating Card, with the possibility of increasing enforcement of the by-law as needed.

Reinforcing the concept that co-operation among riders leads to a better transit experience will not only positively impact how people feel about giving up their seats, but will also lead to a safer space for riders within the bus.

Configuration and Signage of Co-operative Seating

OC Transpo will be adding two additional rows of forward-facing seats to the current configuration. Low-floor buses will continue to have two priority wheelchair positions.

Older, red decals will be replaced by royal blue decals displaying new, modern graphics, depicting people eligible to use Co-operative Seating. This sign will also display the Priority Seating Card and the Priority Seating By-law 2007-268. The sign will extend strips outward for the length of the Co-operative Seating area depicting other types of people requiring special seating.

The new blue signs will be placed on the main windows, rather then the narrow, upper airflow windows and will be in people’s field of sight whether they are standing or sitting.

On the actual seats themselves, a graphic depiction of a person standing next to a seat will be woven in the material to indicate the action that is expected from anyone sitting in those seats. As with “handicap parking” wheelchair symbols, these graphics are likely to encourage people to keep moving back so as to avoid sitting in what would be perceived as a “reserved” seat.

Wheelchair positions on the bus will continue to be marked with wheelchair symbols.

New Stroller Policy

The intent of the new stroller policy is to provide a method for operators and riders to better manage the front area of the bus in a safe and consistent method. The new stroller policy takes into account a number of parameters investigated at other transit agencies and gives customers the opportunity to demonstrate that by co-operating with each other, customers with children in strollers can participate equally in the communal experience that is taking transit.

The new stroller policy is geared to limiting the size and number of open strollers on board at any one time, while encouraging customers to fold and stow upon boarding the bus. Customers are expected to be able to manage the stroller, the child and any other items they have with them.

The effects and results of this policy will be evaluated in one year to determine what, if any, improvements there have been. If the new, more stringent policy is proven to have been ineffective, a full “fold and stow” policy will be implemented and no open strollers will be allowed on the bus.

Stroller Eligibility:

An open stroller occupied by a child will be allowed on the bus if:

a) It is capable of being folded

b) It is capable of being safely stowed

c) It will not interfere with other passengers or with the safe movement of passengers within the transit vehicle:and

d) It can be wheeled, or (when folded) carried, through the aisle without contacting the seats.

Strollers that are not occupied by a child must be folded and stowed upon boarding.

Stroller Locations/Wheelchair Priority

An open stroller carrying a child must be placed in a wheelchair position. We recommend the stroller be facing to the rear with wheels locked.

Open strollers will no longer be allowed in the aisle.

A folded stroller must be safely stowed and must not interfere with other passengers. The child must remain seated on the customer’s lap or in a seat.

Only one wheelchair position may be used for open strollers at any one time. Smaller strollers may be double-parked in a wheelchair position.

Should an open stroller be in a wheelchair position and a person using a wheelchair boards and needs that position, the customer with the stroller will be expected to fold and stow the stroller and hold the child.

A stroller carrying a child with a disability qualifies as a “transportable mobility device” and can remain in the wheelchair position, providing the customer presents a Priority Seating Card to demonstrate the child’s eligibility.

Customers who fold and stow their stroller and hold the child on their lap are eligible for Co‑operative Seating.

Double-Strollers

Double-strollers must fit all the required parameters for single strollers, other than being able to be folded. Customers must be able to manoeuvre the double-strollers upon loading and within the bus without assistance.

Double-strollers must be placed in a wheelchair position and will not be required to fold and stow at any time. Conversely, a double-stroller will only be allowed on board if a wheelchair position is available.

Triple-strollers and other multiples or configurations will not be allowed on the bus due to safety issues, particularly in the case of emergency situations.

Priority Seating Card

Operators will continue to accept Priority Seating Cards that demonstrate the customer’s eligibility to sit in the Co-operative Seating area.

Communication

A new logo has been developed in conjunction with the new bus signage decals that will not only represent Co-operative Seating, but that will demonstrate the integration of people with different special needs into the bus-riding community. The overarching message is one of inclusiveness, co-operation and respect and that each and every customer has a role to play in creating a safe and peaceful environment within the bus.

Print communication of the new Co-operative Seating concept and Stroller Policy will occur using current methods including, but not restricted to: Public service announcements, inside bus advertisements, take ones, posters, etc.

Planned Public Relations initiatives include:

1) Co-operative Seating Launch – using artwork by students at Longfields High School to propagate the key messaging of Co-operative Seating.

2) Notice Me Campaign – ambassadors travelling throughout transit system bringing message of Co-operative Seating using interactive game with riders.

3) Spot the Bus Campaign – interactive game with public response for rewards.

4) Community Outreach – Stroller information distribution and presentation by OC Transpo representatives to facilities and institutions along core routes known to service customers with strollers.

RURAL IMPLICATIONS

N/A

CONSULTATION

Consultation on the proposed Co-operative Seating and Stroller Policy has been sought in a variety of forums. Internally, this concept has been vetted by the marketing, operations and maintenance departments, as well as the Department Management Team. The Bus Technical Advisory Committee (including bus operators and mechanics) has reviewed the signage and made recommendations. The concept was also presented to ATU 279 executive for their feedback.

Externally, this concept has been presented to the Senior Advisory Committee, the Accessibility Advisory Committee and the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee and changes have been made based on the feedback. The concept was also presented to two focus groups made up of frequent transit riders, some of whom had been taking their strollers on board the bus.

The response, in general, was quite positive. Some of the participants thought the softer approach might result in more people thinking that giving up their seats would be optional, rather than a requirement, while others expressed that they would be more likely to comply if they felt good about the decision they had made, rather than being forced to do it by some law. OC Transpo will be maintaining the by-law that currently exists.

In one year, the effectiveness of this initiative will be evaluated. If this initiative does not lead to more people vacating their Co-operative Seating seats for priority customers, then a stronger approach using negative reinforcement such as deterrents, enforcement and fines can be implemented. We believe, however, that with the additional communication and emphasis on public relations, this initiative will lead to a more positive customer experience for all transit users.

COMMENTS BY THE WARD COUNCILLOR(S)

N/A

LEGAL/RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

There are no legal/risk management impediments to OC Transpo implementing the policies described in this report.

CITY STRATEGIC PLAN

H3 - Establish an agreed-upon set of flexible and appropriate service standards (one-size does not fit all) across the corporation.

TECHNICAL IMPLICATIONS

N/A

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

The cost to acquire and install new decals and seat covers for the current bus fleet, during a two‑year deployment, is approximately $154,000. Funds for this are available within the 2009 Bus Refurbishing Program and no additional funding is required. The cost of seat covers and decals on new buses will be accommodated within their contracted unit price. Other communication, marketing and training costs associated with this initiative will be absorbed within existing operating budgets.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

N/A

DISPOSITION

Installation of decals, operator training and communication production will occur this winter with the full public relations and communication launch end of January of 2010. New decals will appear in January. New seat logos will begin appearing as new buses are integrated into the fleet and existing seat covers are replaced, over a period of two years.

Communication and community outreach regarding the stroller policy will begin in January and continue throughout the winter. The stroller policy will be in force as of April 15, 2010.

PRIORITY SEATING – MANAGING THE FRONT OF THE BUS

Sièges prioritaires – Gestion de l’avant de l’autobus

ACS2009-ICS-TRA-0019 CITY WIDE / À L'ÉCHELLE DE LA VILLE

The following correspondence was received and is held on file :

a. R. McGarry, Public Safety Canada e-mail dated 16 Nov (in support of proposed stroller policy)

b. L. Beamer e-mail dated 16 Nov (in support of proposed stroller policy)

c. K. Ketchum e-mail dated 16 Nov (opposed to stroller policy)

d. A. Mills e-mail dated 13 Nov (opposed to stroller policy)

The following correspondence was not received prior to the meeting but was distributed to all members of the Committee. A copy is held on file:

e. A. Markey e-mail dated 18 Nov (opposed to stroller policy)

Vicky Kyriaco, Manager, Transit Marketing and Customer Service gave a detailed overview to outline and explain the reason for the proposed changes. With particular reference to the change in the stroller policy, she confirmed that a driver would never refuse a person boarding with a stroller during inclement weather. A copy of her presentation is held on file.

The committee received comments from the following delegations:

David Jeanes commended staff for the consultation work they put into this policy. He referred to the positive experiences he has had on Route 16, which is a popular bus for people with disabilities and mothers with strollers because it was one of the first low-floor routes in the system. He remarked that the re-evaluation referred to in the staff presentation will be very important because people with special needs must not be discouraged from using transit, particularly since the City is encouraging many of the trends that are creating the need for parents with children to travel longer distances. Mr. Jeanes was concerned that some people who are now successfully using the buses will be forced off because they will be unable to meet these constraints, and he suggested that a careful watch of the situation is important.

Jan Lam Spoke specifically to the proposed stroller policy. He said that as a frequent transit user, he has witnessed a number of occasions where parents with strollers (as many as five strollers), block the aisle of the bus. This is a hazard because they prevent the movement of passengers and decrease the standing room on already crowded buses. He believed implementing a stroller policy would:

· ensure the safety of all passengers

· provide clarity for those who intend to bring a stroller on board

· minimize passenger and operator disputes because everyone would be aware of what is and is not permitted

Mr. Lam preferred having the strollers folded up before boarding and that they remain folded for the duration of the trip, but he was willing to support staff’s proposed rules and guidelines to permit only strollers that could be folded and that they be placed in the wheelchair position, provided there are no wheelchair users on board. Prior to the policy being implemented and, to ensure it is implemented smoothly, he encouraged having an extensive public awareness campaign.

Hannah Rogers, mother of a three year old and a three month old child, explained how difficult it would be to fold her stroller prior to boarding because she would be carrying the youngest and have to fold the stroller and keep watch on her other child at the same time. She uses an umbrella stroller as often as possible, because they are smaller and easily folded, but these are not well-equipped to move in snowy conditions and therefore, during the winter months she opts for a more durable and larger stroller. She reminded Committee members that many parents rely on the bus to take their kids to and from day care or school every day, and this policy would create a serious impediment for them. She felt that single mothers and lower-income people would be especially impacted because they often do not have the choice of using other forms of transportation. She suggested finding a better solution, even if it means taking away some of the seats at the front of the bus.

In response to a question posed by Councillor Bédard, Ms. Rogers advised that two strollers can usually fit in one wheelchair bay and she hoped operators would allow that practice. She acknowledged that sometimes strollers cannot be brought on board if the bus is too crowded or already has some on board, but most of the time people are very obliging and she has witnessed very few problems.

Ms. Kyriaco interjected that provided the strollers are small enough, they can be double or triple parked in the wheelchair bay; however, if a wheelchair user boards, those strollers would have to be folded and stowed and the users would need to find seats.

When asked by Councillor Wilkinson to comment on the fact she would have to move from the wheelchair bay if a wheelchair user boarded the bus, Ms. Rogers explained that people with strollers are very obliging to people with wheelchairs when they get on, and she has not personally witnessed an incident to the contrary. She did not agree with the suggestion to allow them to use the bay, until such time as a person who is designated that space boards.

Councillor Legendre acknowledged that the problem is most difficult when the buses are crowded and questioned whether parents with strollers choose to do their outings in off-peak hours as much as possible. Ms. Rogers indicated that parents typically choose to avoid travelling on the bus during rush hour, but this is not always possible. The councillor suggested the message could be reinforced to those using strollers to avoid travelling during those peak times as much as possible.

Viviane Oser provided a visual presentation to demonstrate the challenges faced by a person using a standard stroller in winter. As a social worker with low income families she is opposed to the proposition of a stroller policy because it targets such families who rely on public transit as their main mode of transportation. In turn, they may not venture out during the winter months, leading to isolation and depression. She was also concerned about allowing for only one open stroller at a time, because it might mean a lengthy wait (this would be especially difficult during bad weather) for the parent who is unable to board. She asked the Committee to plan for a way that welcomes everybody.

Councillor Bédard requested clarification that strollers in the wheelchair bay do not have to be folded if the by is not full. Ms. Kyriako explained that the idea is to enforce the policy prior to boarding, so there is no discussion once the stroller comes on board. The operator would evaluate whether there is a wheelchair position available prior to the parent boarding so they can instruct the customer whether s/he could come on board with an open or folded stroller. She further clarified that the policy is designed to keep strollers out of the aisles because they impede the safe movement of passengers, including those with mobility devices. She remarked that such devices and aids are covered under legislation.

Responding to additional concerns raised by the councillor, the General Manager advised that during inclement weather, anybody will be accepted on board, as is the policy today and the operator has to manage it afterward. However, what staff are recommending with this policy is that bus drivers will be trained to explain to customers that they have to fold the strollers to come on board because there is no place available. He went on to state that part of an operator’s training will reinforce that when a person boards with a mobility device, including strollers, the driver is obligated to wait until that person is seated before pulling away from the stop.

John Crysler, a resident of Centretown, expressed support for previous speakers who listed concerns about the proposed stroller policy, adding that it sends a message to operators that people with strollers are less welcome than others. He noted there are buses in other jurisdictions that have additional space for stowing strollers and he was concerned that there has not been much vision shown in this process, and no attempt to find a solution so that everyone can ride the bus safely and with some degree of comfort, rather than pitting groups against each other.

Councillor Legendre inquired where parents are expected to stow their folded strollers and Ms. Kyriaco advised that there is space behind the pads for wheelchair positions, as well as space under the seats. She added that a stroller can be kept next to a person’s legs, which will keep it out of the aisles. The General Manager confirmed that stowing a stroller on the storage area above the wheel well is not recommended as it is high a stroller stored there could become a projectile on the bus.

Julie Begbie advised that she chose not to buy a second car for the family because OC Transpo serves here transportation needs. However, if she is asked to fold and stow her stroller before boarding a bus, the message she would take from that is ‘don’t bother, buy a car’. She acknowledged that there are other large items, such as the grocery carts that take up room in the aisles and these are not addressed in the policy. She pointed out that it would be nearly impossible to fit a standard type stroller underneath the seats and suggested that doing so will only interfere with people already sitting on those seats and who will likely be reluctant to move to allow someone to do this. She concluded by stating the policy does not solve the issue and discourages people from using public transportation.

In response to questions posed by Councillor Leadman, Ms. Begbie advised that she usually rides Routes 1 and 2 on Bank and Somerset streets but tries to avoid peak periods when these routes are busiest. When she wanted to board a bus with a stroller, the operators never refused her access and they are generally good to let others know when a stroller is getting on or off. She remarked that there are often issues with standing passengers being in her way after she boards the bus, because if she puts her stroller in the folded up wheelchair bay, the operator allows more passengers in but then she gets blocked when trying to get out. However, she noted that when she has to get out, the operators are normally helpful in facilitating the process, and passengers are generally cooperative, even in rush hour.

Councillor Leadman asked staff how the policy would address the shopping carts referred to by the delegation, noting these are most often used by seniors and present the same type of issue as strollers. Ms. Kyriaco explained that shopping carts and other wheeled devices, not including mobility devices, were originally included in the policy but when the advisory committees were consulted, they asked that shopping carts not be included. In response to concerns expressed by the councillor, Mr. Mercier advised that while everyone could sympathize with the tension surrounding this issue, some of the decisions that have been made (e.g. the introduction of the new hybrid buses) will move out some of the older buses that have narrower aisles. He reminded Committee that it will be very important for staff to monitor the situation, and as things move forward, perhaps creating even more space will have to be the solution, as the needs on the transit system are changing over time.

Daiva Greenidge explained that since she was diagnosed with breast cancer, she has faced challenges caring for herself and her young daughter and the thought of not being able to bring her on the bus in the stroller and having to hold her when she is not well herself is difficult to comprehend. She wondered how this policy would affect pregnant women who also have young children in strollers. If the policy was put in place, taking the bus would no longer be an option for her.

Brianne Marvin remarked that her young son is quite rambunctious so keeping him in the stroller on the bus is more of a safety concern for her. She felt that limiting access to transit for youth with children will deter their desire to continue going to school or to the programs that would benefit them. The transit system is a huge benefit for young parents and people that do not have a lot of money. She remarked that she could have given up on many things when she became a parent at 18, but having the transit system has helped her a great deal to give back to the community and to be a successful person.

Councillor Chiarelli questioned whether there were times when Ms. Marvin actually abandoned trips or didn’t get on the bus because of stroller issues and she advised that she had not, but she was aware of a lot of other parents who had given up because their young children get uncomfortable when they have to stand and wait at a bus stop for an extended length of time.

Catherine Gardner explained that the Accessibility Advisory Committee considers strollers as wheelchairs. She pointed out that many parents with strollers will sit on the seats in the wheelchair bay and place the stroller in front of them, in the middle of the aisle, and sometimes, the stroller is filled with groceries while the children are in the bus seats. She said the seat should be flipped up so the stroller can fit compactly into the space while one parent stands with the stroller, and if there is another parent of that family with an older child they can take a seat in the non-priority area.

With respect to the new decals, Ms. Gardner noted the presentation had not shown one for wheelchair users, strollers, or a parent holding a child. She understood the next two rows behind what is now priority seating would also be considered priority seating under this new policy and questioned why those seats could not also be flip-up seats to accommodate another stroller. She said there are too many people with strollers and disabilities trying to access the service and they do not want to be pitted against each other. She noted that there might be legal ramifications if a young child who is incapable of supporting his/her head is injured as a result of the parent not being able to keep the child in the stroller. She said that more room and more cooperation is needed from everybody. With respect to cost to implement the policy, she understood it will cost $154, 000, and could not understand why it would be necessary to spend money to put the decals on the seats; she suggested putting them on the walls or windows first to see if it would be sufficient. If it is not, she suggested putting paint on the bars and back of the seat in the priority area to make it stand out. She recommended the paint be a color other than blue since the seats are all blue. If that is also not sufficient enough, she suggested other approaches could then be taken. She also understood that if the new policy is not effective, the flip-up seats will be removed altogether, and she cautioned that would actually be taking away priority seating for people who cannot sit.

Councillor Wilkinson questioned whether staff had investigated having additional flip-up seats, as Ms. Gardner had suggested, on any new buses that are purchased. Mr. Mercier replied it would be an option to request a change to the seating configuration when purchasing any future buses. He added that for the current articulated fleet, which operates primarily in the downtown area, and the new hybrid buses that are coming in it would require a replacement of the seats that were already purchased. He said that if the demand for the front area of the bus continues to grow as it has been, it is one of the alternatives that will have to be evaluated, though it is significantly more expensive.

Councillor Wilkinson also pointed out that the fleet is gradually being replaced so that all buses will eventually be low-floor. She expressed significant concerns about the stipulation to fold strollers, citing safety concerns for the babies.

Ms. Gardner further noted the policy might also lead to ‘stroller rage’, as parents with strollers and wheelchairs queue at stops and know that the possibility of boarding or boarding without folding the stroller is limited. The delays that will be incurred while parents fold strollers as they are about to board will also cause anger with some passengers and affect the timing of the route.

Daniel Oickle commented that carrying a baby in a sling/carrier, as he and his wife had done when his son was young, would solve the issue. He said when his child was old enough to walk, he would sit on him on his lap when on the bus because they were constantly told by the bus driver to fold their stroller. He said parents today should feel lucky because the new buses have room to underneath the seats to store strollers, where the old ones didn’t. He did not agree with previous delegations’ comments that the policy tells parents they are not welcome to get on the bus, commenting that it simply asks them to have respect for other people because people in wheelchairs have no choice about the areas they must use on the bus and cannot fold away their wheelchairs to make more room. He did not agree that drivers are being told not to move until people with mobility devices are securely seated because he has experienced the opposite and frequently hears from others who do. He referred specifically to Route 7. He also reiterated Ms. Gardner’s point that the new decal does not portray a wheelchair and suggested that actually says wheelchairs are not welcome. Otherwise, he felt the policy is a good one because it calls for respect for all. With respect to an earlier delegation’s question about why only one wheelchair bay can be used at a time for strollers, he explained it is in case a wheelchair needs to get on at a subsequent stop and might get left behind if the bus is already blocked with strollers. He detailed a personal experience where he was forced to sit between the wheel wells and hold onto the bar because a woman would not move her open stroller from the one wheelchair bay on the bus.

The Chair read out the following Motions proposed by Councillor Bédard:

1. That the new stroller policy be amended so that ‘An open stroller carrying a child must be placed in a wheelchair position if available. Should a wheelchair position not be available, open strollers will be allowed in the aisle unless they interfere with other passengers or with the safe movement of passengers within the transit vehicle’.

2. That the new stroller policy be amended so that “Should an open stroller be in a wheelchair position and a person using a wheelchair boards and needs that position, the customer with the stroller will be expected to move’.

On a Point of Order, Councillor Bédard noted the second Motion would only apply if the first Motion was approved because the way the policy is written it says that if a person with a stroller is using the wheelchair area, they have to fold. What would occur with this Motion is that the person could move into the aisle if it does not interfere with other passengers.

Councillor Legendre asked for clarification with respect to the use of the Priority Seating Card. Ms. Kyriaco explained that the Priority Seating Card can currently be used by anyone with a disability (including those who have invisible disabilities) and staff encourages anyone who requires priority seating to apply for the card. The councillor asked whether it would be required as proof of need, should a dispute occur to which Ms. Kyriaco advised that while it is not a requirement, it is an additional tool to help customers communicate with others that they wish them to vacate the priority seat for them. She reminded Committee that the card has been in existence for a long time. The councillor suggested it should not be emphasized in future communications, and that greater emphasis be placed on using good manners and being cooperative.

Councillor Leadman made note of the fact that part of the $154,000 cost of implementing the policy is to put decals on the seats and questioned whether a less expensive method of communicating the point had been considered. Ms. Kyriaco explained that other methods of marking the seats had been considered, e.g., striped tape along the bars, but the feedback received from the Bus Technical Advisory Committee was that it would eventually get picked off by customers, leading to an incomplete look and a cleanliness issue. The idea is to demonstrate visibly that the front part of the bus is different than the rest and that a different type of activity occurs there. The councillor asked that staff bring back an annual report to the Committee on successes and issues to be addressed and the General Manager advised that staff will look at it after a year to measure success in terms of improving the environment and the safety on board the bus.

When asked to which advisory committee the public should speak to about issues related to this policy, the Chair suggested that they approach the Pedestrian and Transit Advisory Committee to make their comments known.

Councillor Wilkinson pointed out that the goal is to encourage more people to use the bus, and at the same time taking on more users that need priority seating and she suggested the policy goes a little overboard in that it discourages new people from coming on, which would affect growth. Mr. Mercier responded that the intent of the policy is to create a larger area of the bus that is more conducive to those individuals that need public transit or are supporting public transit. As a first step of meeting the demand is expansion of the area and getting a clear set of guidelines. He said people generally do work together on the bus and tend to cooperate, but they need some assistance and guidelines on how to do it in an expanding area, which is what the policy attempts to do.

The councillor further remarked that the environment must not only be workable but also be safe. She questioned, therefore, the reasoning to request that a child be removed from the stroller and the stroller folded before boarding. She said that could potentially be dangerous and asked why not allow the strollers to come on board before folding, if folding is necessary. Ms. Kyriaco responded that the communication about folding and stowing occurs before the stroller gets on the bus but the customer could wait until boarded to do so. Operators would be advised to wait until that process has been completed before moving away from the stop.

Councillor Wilkinson thought the policy should be changed to say the folding and stowing ‘should’ occur on-board, not that it ‘could’. She also noted that the process would cause time delays and suggested there is still some balancing to be done with both the policy and how the routes are designed. She added that she would support moving forward with making more seats available, but would not support allowing only one unfolded stroller on a bus at any given time because it is quite difficult to fold many strollers. She said the policy could be modified and reviewed later to see if it is working or requires additional changes.

When asked to comment on the first Motion by Councillor Bédard, Mr. Mercier indicated that it reflects the current situation. The reason staff brought the report forward is to try to move towards improving an environment that has led to conflict and safety issues. The policy sets rules so the operator can give direction to a client and avoid the situation where clients are arbitrating and the operator must try to sort out conflict after the fact on the bus.

In speaking to his first Motion, Councillor Bédard commented that the policy proposed by staff is rather onerous, difficult and unacceptable for those with small children wanting to take the bus. He believed the Motion would satisfy what staff is recommending in that strollers would have to use a wheelchair position if one is available, but if it is not, the aisle could be used, only if it did not hinder other passengers and their safe movement. It would still give the operator the authority to request a stroller be folded and stowed if the bus is too full.

Councillor Bloess inquired what this Motion would do for the operator to which Ms. Kyriaco advised that maintaining the status quo would mean the current problems will continue and the operator will continue to get caught in the middle. She reiterated the fact that the cause of some buses being delayed is when operators have to negotiate with customers who are in disagreement about who gets the space.

Councillor Wilkinson was supportive of the Motion but suggested it should say there should be at least two strollers in a wheelchair position where possible because the bays are big enough to accommodate two of many types of strollers at a time. She said if both wheelchair bays could be used at once, four strollers could be accommodated. She was worried about the second part of the Motion, noting it puts too much onus on the driver to continuously check whether there is enough space in the aisle to allow a stroller to remain opened there. She said any stroller in an aisle completely blocks the aisle and therefore automatically interferes with other passengers. She requested that the two parts of the Motion be divided for voting purposes and that the Motion be further amended by adding: “but must be given up immediately if a wheelchair comes on board” after the words “if available”. Should that occur, she suggested that the stroller could stay on the bus.

Councillor Bédard asked staff to verify whether the present policy stipulates that an open stroller carried on to a bus must be placed in a wheelchair position. Mr. Mercier confirmed that is the current policy, as is indicated by the current signage onboard. The councillor requested clarification as to what change is being proposed by staff from the current policy. He inquired whether the current policy allows open strollers in the aisle. Mr. Mercier clarified that is allowed at the operator’s discretion. The Councillor suggested in that case there is no change in the new policy.

The Chair suggested that there are two changes: the change in terms of priority seating to another program and, as part of that program, there must be space available for the stroller before an operator will it allow it on the bus. That space is defined as use of the wheelchair position or folding and stowing the stroller. Mr. Mercier confirmed this and explained that the proposed policy will obligate parents with strollers to fold and stow if there is no space available, whereas the current policy leaves that at the operator’s discretion and is not a consistent practice.

Councillor Bédard chose to proceed with his Motion, saying it is necessary to ensure to allow for opened strollers to get on the bus, and if there is no wheelchair position available to still come on board opened, provided that it does not interfere with the passengers or the safe operation of the vehicle, which is to be determined by the driver. He posited that asking for automatic folding would be more of a problem than anything else.

The Chair remarked that the bus has a finite capacity, with competing demands for that limited space. He emphasized that the main complaint of passengers on the bus is the issue of strollers blocking access. He therefore believed this policy is necessary to determine how to resolve conflicts when they do occur, and trying to fix it after the fact, once a stroller is on the bus and is creating an issue, does not help. There is no dispute that accessibility on the bus should be provided to all users; space has been created, seats have been taken out, not only for the disabled community but also to deal with this problem. He explained that the Committee did not have to accept the staff proposal, in which case the status quo would continue and people would have to live with the consequences. However, staff have provided an opportunity to try to ensure that safety of passengers and ease of access is a priority, which means that some parents may have to wait for another bus. And, the reverse of that, i.e., trying to accommodate the parents, will mean blocking the aisles and creating problems for passengers, leading to more complaints, which resolves nothing. He stated there is no win-win situation but there is a need for consistency.

Moved by G. Bédard

That the new stroller policy be amended so that ‘An open stroller carrying a child must be placed in a wheelchair position if available.

CARRIED

Should a wheelchair position not be available, open strollers will be allowed in the aisle unless they interfere with other passengers or with the safe movement of passengers within the transit vehicle’.

CARRIED

YEAS (5): R. Bloess, G. Bédard, J. Legendre, C. Leadman, C. Doucet

NAYS (2): M. Wilkinson, A. Cullen

With respect to Councillor Bédard’s next Motion, the Chair asked for clarification that a wheelchair has the right over a stroller to access a wheelchair bay. Councillor Bédard asked that his Motion be amended to read ‘will be required to move’ rather than ‘will be expected to move’.

Moved by G. Bédard:

That the new stroller policy be amended so that “Should an open stroller be in a wheelchair position and a person using a wheelchair boards and needs that position, the customer with the stroller will be required to move’.

CARRIED

Speaking to his Motion about de-emphasizing the Priority Access Card, Councillor Legendre suggested the success of this campaign will be on people cooperating with each other and showing good manners. He said people need to be made aware that just because they bought a bus ticket or bus pass does not allow them to be disrespectful or to inconvenience others who are more needful than they are. He did not ask that the card be eliminated, but that it simply not be emphasized. He suggested that in the proposed decal, the priority seating card graphic be replaced with a representation of a person who might need priority seating.

When asked to provide a staff comment, Ms. Kyriaco advised that the priority card is designed as a communication tool to assist people who cannot easily verbalize their needs and also to assist people who have invisible disabilities to demonstrate their eligibility for priority seating. Currently, the broader public do not know what this card is. Having the priority seating decal is to communicate to the other passengers that it is a tool to be recognized for priority seating. Staff therefore recommends leaving it on the decal.

Councillor Bédard questioned where Councillor Legendre deems the emphasis on the card to be because the only thing he recalled reading is that operators would continue to accept priority seating cards. Other than that and having it displayed on the decal he did not see an emphasis. Mr. Mercier replied that no other specific communication element has been identified. He said the idea of the decal is to define who is eligible for priority seating because it is within the By-law that the holder of a priority seating card has seating rights. Given this information, the councillor saw no reason for the Motion and in fact thought the card should be emphasized because it could solve lots of disputes.

Councillor Wilkinson pointed out that Councillor Legendre was not previously aware of the card and she reasoned that many others might not be aware either so the decal is necessary to communicate that. She also pointed out that a lot of people have disabilities that are not visible and to having the card gives those people the right to priority seating without having to constantly explain what others cannot see.

Councillor Legendre explained that his Motion is just with regards to communications, noting that good manners cannot be legislated, which putting emphasis on the card suggests.

Moved by J. Legendre

That the priority seating card not be emphasized in the communication campaign to be rolled out in 2010, specifically that reference to the priority seating card will be removed from the decals and replaced by one of the following: person carrying a child, person using a walker, etcetera.

LOST

YEAS (1): J. Legendre

NAYS (5): R. Bloess, G. Bédard, C. Leadman, M. Wilkinson, A. Cullen

That the Transit Committee receive this report for information.

RECEIVED, as amended

The Chair announced that as per normal process the report would not rise to Council unless otherwise directed. *

* Note: At the time of this ruling, the Chair believed the matter would end at Committee, but was later advised by legal staff that, as a result of the Motions adopted by the Committee that effectively amended an information report, there was a requirement to bring the report forward to Council. The Chair later advised members of the Committee via e-mail that the report would rise to Council on December 9, 2009.

Contact / Personne-ressource : Diane Blais,
Committee Coordinator / Coordonnatrice de comité,

City Clerk and Legal Services / Direction du greffier et des services juridiques

580-2424, ext. / poste : 28091, Diane.Blais@ottawa.ca

BACKGROUND

DISCUSSION

M E M O / N O T E D E S E R V I C E

M E M O / N O T E D E S E R V I C E

1. Priority Seating - Managing The Front Of The Bus

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS AS AMENDED

Recommandations modifiées du comité

Report to/Rapport au :

SUBJECT:

OBJET :

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

BACKGROUND

DISCUSSION

RURAL IMPLICATIONS

CONSULTATION

COMMENTS BY THE WARD COUNCILLOR(S)

LEGAL/RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

CITY STRATEGIC PLAN

TECHNICAL IMPLICATIONS

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

DISPOSITION

Contact / Personne-ressource : Diane Blais, Committee Coordinator / Coordonnatrice de comité,

City Clerk and Legal Services / Direction du greffier et des services juridiques

580-2424, ext. / poste : 28091, Diane.Blais@ottawa.ca

BACKGROUND

DISCUSSION

M E M O / N O T E D E S E R V I C E

M E M O / N O T E D E S E R V I C E

1. Priority Seating - Managing The Front Of The Bus

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS AS AMENDED

Recommandations modifiées du comité

Report to/Rapport au :

SUBJECT:

OBJET :

REPORT RECOMMENDATION

RECOMMANDATION DU RAPPORT

BACKGROUND

DISCUSSION

RURAL IMPLICATIONS

CONSULTATION

COMMENTS BY THE WARD COUNCILLOR(S)

LEGAL/RISK MANAGEMENT IMPLICATIONS

CITY STRATEGIC PLAN

TECHNICAL IMPLICATIONS

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION

DISPOSITION

Contact / Personne-ressource : Diane Blais,
Committee Coordinator / Coordonnatrice de comité,