Vince Miele regularly enjoys the accessible amenities Centennial Beach has to offer with his grandchildren. He just wished inclusiveness also was in mind when a free shuttle was launched earlier this summer to Boundary Bay Regional Park.
The Tsawwassen resident and long-time advocate for people with disabilities recently expressed his disappointment in the shuttle buses not being accessible to those confined to wheelchairs, like himself. Miele’s letter was initially sent to the City of Delta then forwarded to Metro Vancouver that manages the park and arranged the free transportation service from the South Delta recreation centre.
The shuttle was introduced to ease the ongoing weekend traffic concerns with the park’s parking lots typically filled quickly and cars spilling onto the nearby streets.
“I don’t know who came up with the bus idea, Metro or Delta? Both of them should have taken into consideration that it’s going to be a public service for everyone, but it’s actually not for everyone,” said Miele. “If they thought it was going to be difficult to get a bus (to accommodate passengers in wheelchairs) then why didn’t they arrange some alternative transportation? All it would take is make an arrangement with a taxi company and they could probably be there in 10 minutes.”
A fully accessible bus was overlooked when Metro Vancouver had to factor in COVID-19 and proper social distancing measures, opting for a large coach bus that can only be entered by stairs. That will likely change when the shuttle program is expected to continue next summer.
“These buses are probably too big for the park but we used them because of COVID-19 and providing as much room as possible,” said Steve Schaffrick, Division Manager, Parks Central Area, Regional Parks Parks and Environment for Metro Vancouver. “When you look at rules under Translink and community shuttles we probably can go with a smaller bus and that would also add the accessibility for us where right now the large buses are not. Community shuttles all have accessibility capability.”
It’s some encouraging words for Miele although he just wishes full accessibility was at the forefront of planning stages when it comes to transportation, buildings and amenities.
“I have been involved in advocacy and accessibility for 40 to 45 years. I have seen a lot of progress,” he added. “Yet it’s still not always being met. It can be an afterthought or after someone complains about it and that is disheartening. I just don’t know why it isn’t consistent.”
