Abuse of Handi-Transit services rankles users

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/11/2010 (5596 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

SILVER tsunami or not, nothing bugs people more than someone climbing into a Handi-Transit van when it appears they are able-bodied enoug to stroll to the nearest bus stop.

“When someone walks out of the house and I’m in Handi-Transit, I wonder what’s going on. And I’m in this thing!” retired Red River photojournalism instructor Jim Hammil said gesturing to his wheelchair Tuesday.

Disabled by a stroke, Hammil pulled up in a Handi-Transit vehicle at the Reh-Fit Centre Tuesday for his weekly physiotherapy, as he has for the past four years.

Patients with invisible disabilities like diabetes-related complications do need the service, he admitted.

Who qualifies for Handi-Transit? Who doesn’t?

There’s no doubt that criteria remains one of the biggest problems facing the transportation service.

Lois Strong, a nurse with muscular dystrophy, relies on a motorized scooter to get around town in the winter. She says there are people who get doctors’ certificates to qualify for Handi-Transit when they have other options.

“Some people are using these services when they could afford to pay for a taxi or they could be taking a bus. I can see there are problems with the way Handi-Transit sends out these applications. “There’s a problem with screening,” Strong said.

People who rely on Handi-Transit know they must book two days in advance, Strong said, but they may not get the pickup times they need if other riders claim a higher priority.

Elaine McConnell, whose vision is impaired and has limited mobility, is only eligible to use Handi-Transit during the winter.

She approached city council’s public works committee on Tuesday to complain she can’t be expected to rely on taxis during the summer.

McConnell also said assessing the eligibility of transit users once every three years is not sufficient for people whose mobility needs are increasing rapidly.

Fort Rouge Coun. Jenny Gerbasi said she wonders how many other people are like McConnell and wish to use Handi-Transit more often but are deemed ineligible.

A new city council decision to extend the service to Alzheimer’s and other dementia patients raises questions about the on-board supervision of such passengers.

There are plans to replace existing vans with longer buses that are loaded with GPS and video surveillance gear.

At least when incidents happen on board, as they inevitably will, the cameras will catch it on digital, one regular rider observed.

The public works committee has asked Winnipeg Transit to review the service’s assessment policy.

alexandra.paul@freepress.mb.ca