A wheelchair user and frequent transit critic is again calling out Halifax Transit after he says the bus system stranded him in Dartmouth overnight.
Last month Daniel J. Towsey took the bus out to Maynard Lake to photograph the sunset. The bus he took had four-point tie-downs to secure his wheelchair, but when he tried to return to his peninsular home, he says none of the buses that would take him directly home had the proper tie-downs. As a result, he contends Halifax Transit left him in Dartmouth for 11 hours overnight.
In a video he filmed of his experience, Towsey can be heard telling a bus driver: “So you can’t take me home. I’m sitting out here in the dark. If something happens to me and somebody mugs me, who’s going to be blamed? Because you guys at Metro Transit can’t provide safe buses for wheelchairs.”
In the last few years, the city has gradually replaced its fleet with low-floor wheelchair-accessible buses. Some of the newer buses only have one-point tie-downs, which attach a chair to the bus at a single point rather than securing it on all four corners. These tie-downs aren’t safe for Towsey’s motorized chair because it weighs more than 500 pounds, he explains. “There’s no way that wheelchair is not going to move.”
City spokesperson Tiffany Chase says Halifax Transit sent an Access-A-Bus to pick up Towsey. The wheelchair rights advocate says that’s true, but the Access-A-Bus was a newer model that couldn’t fit his chair on board.
After hours of attempting to get home, Towsey’s chair battery ran out of power and he became stranded. Eventually, a helpful police officer went to his apartment to get his battery charger and Towsey was able to take the ferry home early the next morning.
Currently 58 of Halifax’s 273 accessible low-floor buses use the one-point system. Chase says it complies with Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board safety regulations and will be installed in all new buses going forward.
For its 2011 accessibility report, Metro (now Halifax) Transit consulted with seniors and people with disabilities about improvements to the bus system. Two concerns noted in the report were a “need for standard wheelchair securement device/tie-downs,” and “operator training in disability awareness, the use of securement devices and providing assistance.”
Paul Blaauw, a transit customer who uses a manual wheelchair to get around, says he’s experienced some of the same bus problems as Towsey. Bus drivers’ knowledge of the tie-down systems can vary widely, he says, and some drivers don’t use the tie-downs at all. He describes the forward-facing four-point tie-down system that includes a seatbelt as “marvelous,” but says the newer one-point tie-down can be unsafe.
On some buses, wheelchair users are positioned facing toward the back of the bus, which makes it difficult to know when your stop is coming up.
Chase says the rear-facing passive restraint system is widely used by other transit agencies in Canada and “meets all codes and safety regulations.” She said basic training for drivers includes accessibility awareness and use of the tie-down systems.
Six years ago, Towsey was cycling in Dartmouth when a car struck him. The accident left his back in shambles and he now requires a wheelchair. He believes the city has a long road ahead if it wants to make its bus fleet, and other municipal infrastructure, fully accessible.
“There’s no wheelchair rights at all. Once you become disabled, you lose all your rights. You’re treated like an animal.”
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This article appears in Sep 18-24, 2014.
I understand the aversion to sitting backwards but everything else is another story. Mr Towsey basically rejected a ride, then blamed someone else. This guy thinks more belts are better but has a doctor’s note exempting him from requiring a lap belt. If someone is strapped into the bus properly, the one strap plus padding is plenty to keep someone safe in the event of an accident. Did he produce any studies or paperwork showing his fears were legit? If so, I’ll admit I’m wrong. Otherwise, quit complaining about a problem you yourself created.
The system used on the newer buses like stated in the article are standard. The system is called the passive restraint system. The system has been approved in the USA by the ADA. Here in Canada the system has been approved for use by every provincial agency that governs buses. The system is meant to increase speed of wheel chairs being loaded. This will in hopes help the disabled community have more freedom and willingness to take transit. How does all of a sudden 1 person decide its not safe for him to be loaded in a bus with this system. Does he think he knows more then all of the studies that have been done on this system.
Does he not realize that this exact system is available on buses in New York, Toronto and just about every major North American city with out so much as a issue? He just likes to hear him self talk. He wants people to feel sorry for him.
The same Utility and Review Board that’s in Emera’s back pocket? Yeah, this guy is lucky he didn’t get stranded for a year…
Here is the link to to all The Halifax Metro Transit Articles..if you really care to learn.. http://wheelchairrights.wordpress.com/halifax-metro-transit/
Wheelchairs sit on castors..They weigh up to 800 lbs with the occupant. The castors do not have brakes. The one belt restraint goes across the neck and waist. The chair will move and the belt will choke a person..
Do some thinking.. Why would all manufacturers put certified four point tie-downs on all wheelchairs world wide if they were no necessary? No manufacturer is permitted to sell any power chair that does not pass the certification for the four point restraints..
Go to the link above to do some studying and learn more about power chairs, such as the plastic back rests that are not designed to hold 700-800 lbs while the bus puts its breaks on… and there is much more information at the link above.. Learn if you care before you make any ignorant comments..
Hey Scooter ahhhhh!, yes you really should listen and learn… http://ATruthSoldier.com
Reply to Artic by Daniel Towsey.
Artic you are so wrong about many things.. First if you listen to my video where the Halifax transit supervisors speak..You can hear them say that the older flyer buses went up as a 61 but only new buses came back down to where I was as a 61. That can only happen if they are switching the bus numbers.
Second the single belt in the new buses do not have a steel hook to attach to power chairs. Power wheelchairs can not be secured in the middle with a single belt. Power wheelchairs do not have any center tie down point. And the belt they use is just like a car front seat belt three point lap and shoulder..the shoulder one goes by the neck..
That belt is not and has never been for securing the chair..It is only to secure the passenger in a manual wheelchair..And manual wheelchairs only weigh at most 50 lbs..
Your claim that someone with a five hundred pound chair went on the bus is impossible.. The castors would move with any movement of the bus.. and a power chair if it were possible, secured at only one rear corner would surely cause the chair to move sideways..
If the chair is not secured the weight of the chair well crush the passenger.
The 61 route mostly only runs old flyer buses as it has always done..
I am writing this response to you for the sake of other readers and not because you are worthy of any dignified response from me..because you are not worhty with all your insults..
Since you like your videos so much, I propose you film one where you get on a newer bus, get hooked the way the bus manufacturer suggests (without any input from yourself), then attempt to drive your wheelchair away from the padding once the driver is done and out of the way.
You say the newer buses are unsafe, here’s your chance to show us.
Artic your very right, you at least know your facts, thankfully you dont succomb to “truth soldier” mental idiocy.
Go look on google for novabus lfs artic, youll see a lot of different transit systems use them.
It is ADA standerd, Towsley has so much crap on his chair that makes IT unsafe..
Access a bus, use ada standerd buses as well, its not their issues why Towsleys chair wont fit, its HIS FAULT.
He has so much crap on his chair that makes it OVERSIZED.
Towsley whines about everything, blaming everyone else, hes the loudmouth that constantly is whining about how so much is unfair in Halifax, he is destroying any steps forward that the disabled community have gotten in Halifax and the province as a whole.
Also as a note, im both legally blind & physically disabled, i use a power wheelchair, im also a 25yr veteran accessibility Advocate, educated in both ADA & AODA Accessibility Legislation Acts, im also a daily public transit user.
People aren’t going to give you sympathy if you’re not willing to actually try. I proposed a way for you to show that your truth is the real truth. The truth must be seen to be believed, so prove it to us.
People will not believe someone who resorts to insults when challenged.
Reply to Blind Cane
So you claim to have some kind of credentials..what have you do for the needs of the disabled? Have you written anything? Done any speeches?
Set up any websites or any that anyone can see to prove you have ever done anything for anyone ever? Show me some proof..Post a link to something you did for the disabled..
Reply to Plastic Diver Guy by Daniel Towsey.
Who wants sympathy..I want justice and I want the buses to be properly equipped with the necessary four point tie-downs. Ask yourself why did all the older buses have them?
The power wheelchairs never changed..I already explained clearly that power wheelchair can not face backwards for many reasons..such as the backrests are not vertical like manual wheelchairs. All power chairs have knaps sacks behind them, and head braces with the attachments sticking out that can not be pushed against the post with the cushion and many more reasons..
I am reasonable by explaining the reasons why the buses can not transport power wheelchairs.. So why do you not try being reasonable instead of vicious..Usually those that attack activist comment treads online are professional TROLLS..
The only viscous one is you Mr Towsey you have called people idots,dumb and stupid in the same forum. You have also decided to attack one your fellow disabled people. That shows the amount of credibility you truly have!
Now lets go through a few facts that you have posted. You mention that older buses have the four points tie down system and for us to ask why that was the case. Well at the time those buses came out that was the standard newer buses are bound to have newer technology. Same when the first flyers came out why where there not steps like so many before them ?
Next you attack the a fellow disabled person saying what have they contributed to the disabled community? Have they made websites? etc. Just because you go to wordpress and post a bunch of stuff doesn’t mean you have made a website for the community means you have done something that people in grade school are taught how to do simple web page design with a gui tool.
Next you claim that you are not destroying steps made forward in the disabled community because there are none to begin with. Well lets pick that apart a bit because you are so keen on having facts displayed. 7 years ago there was only a handful of wheelchair routes and wheel chair users where only allowed to use these routes period now fast forward 7 years later over 70% of MT routes and 85% of buses are wheel chair accessible.That is a great leap forward is it the absolute best? No its not but its a steep in the right direction! The bridge terminal now wheel chair accessible yes. Is one door broken yeah seems that way but still not bad and a great leap forward from the old bridge terminal. Also Transit has a Lacewood Terminal being built. There are plans to have further accessible options there, they are considering integrated wheel chair seating. That way you aren’t waiting in an aisle in the way, you will be waiting in the seating area. Now lets look at general business’ they have improved wheel chair access by leaps and bounds in the last 5 years. Is every business accessible nope but its better then it was. So based on those facts how are there no steps being made to help the disabled community ? Steeps are steeps no matter how baby they may appear.
Now when you respond to this I ask you to try not to throw in sluts. I ask you please stop repeating your same claims of unsafe with more facts then your own pen or voice. Most of us have sited ADA, URB, AODA and other organizations that have claimed them safe. All you have done is said they are unsafe. So lets see some concrete facts from agencies that study this stuff.
Why did we travel around in horse-drawn carriages? Why did we throw our sewage out the window? Why were buses equipped with 4 point tie downs? Because at the time, it was the best option available. But people come up with improvements, so now we have cars, sewage systems, and as blindcane explained very clearly, passive restraint systems that are easy in, easy out for both passenger and driver.
If you’re not willing to try it, that’s fine, but take responsibility for that choice and leave Halifax Transit and its drivers out of it.
Well looks like you have not listened to what every one has written all you want to do is continue to talk. I asked you to provide a creditable source or agency on your statement about not being able to secure your wheel chair in the passive restraint system. You have yet to do that all you do is say to go to your self made website. I have been there beside the lack of any organization there are videos of you going around town doing what you think is “Public education”. When in reality its you yelling at people and trying to get them to think you are such a poor sole. I never claimed once that disabled person has the same accessibility as a disabled . I claimed things have gotten better in 7 years.
As for the transit case you speak of, your particular human rights case was not the one that actually changed the policy of ALF buses being on non wheel chair routes. Your complaint along with another female wheel chair user who I wont name here came after. The original complaint had not been heard by the time you laid your complaint. It had actually been a year or two that passed since the original complaint ( human rights commission can take a while to hear cases which is an entirely different subject).
Now why not go and use that crank radio you have and be sure to flag down a horse drawn carriage to take you to your next appt.
reply to Artic by Daniel Towsey
Your true biased colors are showing.. You claim to know about my Human Rights Complaint.. So how you are speaking proves you are an insider who is trying to do damage control..by trying to discredit me..
That no name person you speak of is a none existent fiction make up..period..
Here is a video I did on board a bus as you requested..but I had already made it before you made the request.
“Wheelchair Protest On Board A Halifax Metro Transit Bus”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_wQnnfgUD8
and this.
“Telling Bus Driver How Halifax Buses DEADLY For Wheelchair Users”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=EJ998LGOphQ
again my response to you are for the dignity of other readers to show them that I am civilized and have done my best to bring this serious issue of lack of public transportation because the buses can not secure my wheelchair safely.
More than two years later
Metro Transit’s new Dartmouth
bus terminal still not
wheelchair accessible
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPjwG82vBRU
and you ‘artic’ thinks that the public should trust the so called professionals
For those of you who want to know when I was left stranded..
“Halifax Transit Left Me Stranded All Night For Eleven Hours On Street”
http://wheelchairrights.wordpress.com/2014/08/06/halifax-transit-left-me-stranded-all-night-for-eleven-hours-on-street/
Supply websites that are NOT RUN BY YOU ! all they do is repeat what you have printed. I have watched your videos going on a bus and saying ” this is a protest because these buses are unsafe and you know it” Is not in any way you showing us how they are not safe.
I have read the human rights cases on this. Trust me every one at Metro transit has to be trained on human rights as a result of this. ( did you know that ).
Also by the way none of your response are showing your civilized but the doing the complete opposite. I never insulted you, nor did plastic driver guy or anyone else. You insulted all of us first. You also continue to insult us over and over again. All we have asked is for concrete proof of your accusations from a creditable source ( You or I are not Credible sources) like The ADA, URB, Nova Bus or any other disability organization. All you have done in response is posted links to your website. If you would like I can create one on word press right now throw a few videos on it and discredit your claims. It wont take more then 5 to 10 minutes, but I wont because that proves nothing but my opinion!
So in closing yes closing because I am aware that you will reply no matter how many times I respond. Your claims carry no weight, no other user in Halifax has the same problems as you yet they ride the same buses. You have done nothing but yell at people who didn’t agree with your views. You have said that transit endangered you that night. There is no evidence of that you where offered drives from other drivers driving older buses to the bridge. You claim that the 61/14 was the only one that could get you to that intersection of oxford and Quinpool. Well the ones could have done that. Also if they had the newer style bus you could have tried the 52 to get you to the corner of North and Robie and powered on own the street. Or could have taken the 7 or 80. Or you could have taken the 52 to the corner of North and Windsor and taken a 18 or 90. And do not respond with they are all you buses or something because you had options you just refused to take them because you wanted to make a scene and make people sorry.
I can’t believe a bunch of adults would gang up and bully someone like this. This thread reminds me of LTWWB, it’s sad really.
The Cruelty and Inhumanity of Halifax Metro Transit SPECIAL Wheelchair Report
This a true testimonial accompanied with a 3D HD slideshow.. That clearly explains the cruelty and injustice of Halifax Metro Transit management.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMYHaOK47Mk
The coast has been deletting some of my responces please go to my Wheelchair Rights website to see the missing responce such as this one..
Reply to BlindCane by Daniel Towsey.
Listen to yourself, you are the one whining and spewing out your attacks and hatered..
Go read my article. “There is no reasoning with the insane”
[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7Nl3eXuio4[/embed]
http://danieltowsey.wordpress.com/category/there-is-no-reasoning-with-the-insane/
oh yah your the one with the closed mind that is always right yet ignores the most amazing human invention for learning..the place where all the intelligent people go to that the whole world uses except for you… so you said.. The internet..
Amazing city, really..it is just a small town with to many with small minds as you have shown yourself to be with your constant attacks and insults to ignore the facts I have presented numerous times…
You make constant claims to know me and have made statements that seem to indicate you are stalking me..You are just a back stambing person who speaks behind peoples backs and ingages in hateful gossip..
but has never once gone out and looked at all the evidence on my website.. as you clearly stated that you never do.. ..
So that proves your are just an ignorant person.. as ignoring all the proof on my website..
I use a wheelchair and am a regular user of Halifax Transit. I agree with Daniel that the one-point strap is unsafe. The four-point hook strap is much safer as well as providing a far more user-friendly ride. The design of the newer buses is horrible for those using wheelchairs. Not only is the rider forced to turn around and face all the passengers, many of the drivers are unfamiliar with how to fasten the single-point strap to the loops of the chair. Don’t try to tell me this single-point strap is safe. On one occassion I was strapped onto the single-point restraint and when the driver made a wide left turn from Mumford onto Chebucto the wheelchair swung sideways straight into the aisle. The smaller buses that have the single-point restraint strap, with the wheelchair facing the other passengers, is likewise unsafe as well as an extremely uncomfortable ride.
Why the Coast placed this as news is beyond me. Opinion maybe…but news? It seems since TB left some of the editorial standards, which were tenuous at best, seem to have declined.
I have been witness to many of the protests staged by Mr. Towsey. Including an occasion when he sat at a stop on Barrington St. smoking a cigarette and made no indication that he wanted the route 7 bus approaching the stop. This bus ironically, was one of the 4 point tie down buses he purports to covet. He allowed the bus to pass while still smoking, and then discarded the smoke, proceeded up the sidewalk to the intersection and blocked the bus waiting at the light. He then sat there as numerous traffic lights cycled, blocking a bus load of passengers. A retired cop confirmed for me after that his actions constituted Criminal Mischief.
This individual has no credibility with me. I will vigorously defend a person’s right to free expression/speech, not the antics exhibited on that afternoon. This article is not news…please post as opinion instead. I consider this a case of being embittered and the rest of us are supposed to endure it. The last I checked, respect cuts both ways. I didn’t see all that much in blocking a bus load of passengers at rush hour on one of the busiest streets in HRM.
I am quit sure Mr. T will attack this and some other Bleeding Hearts. I think Trudeau (PET) was right…”Go ahead and bleed!”
http://humanrights.gov.ns.ca/sites/default/files/files/boi-decisions/CraigRobertson%20Decis.pdf
I am a frequent transit user, and have witnessed many wheelchair accessible patrons use the Metro Transit accessible bus service with few problems. Anytime I’ve seen the drivers accommodate the wheelchair patrons, they’ve been very helpful. Sometimes when the bus is busy/full, it can be difficult for both the wheelchair and regular users to get on/off the bus, but generally speaking the process seams to work with little problems.
I do not use a wheelchair, so I am unfamiliar with the 1 or 4 strap safety system being spoken of in this article, but I would assume the wheelchair accessible buses would have their equipment up to code, otherwise they would not be allowed to operate.
I have witnessed Mr. Towsey both on and off the bus in downtown Halifax over the years. Both as a patron on the bus and as a pedestrian on Spring Garden Road. He does come across as rather rude and invasive, and if anyone has witnessed Mr. Towsey’s chair in person will know the chair is model is very big, and has quite a few large items, such as flags, attached to different areas of the chair, which can add to making getting on/off the bus difficult.
Most recently, while sitting in Public Gardens, Mr. Towsey (who was completely unprovoked and not addressed in conversation) came up to me and my husband and a few people sitting by and started yelling and ranting about a supposed environmental issue. With no one speaking or engaging him at all, he continued to raise his voice and called everyone present (including me and my husband) stupid and how we should protest against our government. This is not the first time I’ve witnessed Mr. Towsey harass the general public for one cause or another.
From my past experiences with this man, and from what’s been stated in the article from representatives from Metro Transit, it appears there was an effort to help Mr. Towsey. I do not believe he is a very reliable source for such complaints.
Reply to Ashley Smith by Daniel J Towsey.
So you admit you know little about the issues of this news article about the four point tie-downs so your comment is irrelavant.
Then you make a claim about my wheelchair which again you know nothing about. I fit through any standard size door and my chair is within the maximum size limits for wheelchairs on buses.
Then the height of chairs is relavent to the persons height sitting in the chair.
Then you engage in an off topic personal attack on me..
about my mentioning that all the trees are dying.
http://TheFukushimaRadiationTreeReports.wordpress.com
Reply to HEY…MACLEOD…GET OFF MY EWE! by danieltowsey
You are such a fiction writer..
My many protests..like when was that?
The story comment you just wrote is complete fiction and lies..
It amazes how many trolls are hitting this news story..
Are you having fun?
Embittered..you are so dumb.. Thanks for showing the world the nasty people disabled people have to deal with..
i have some concerns with the issues addressed in this article and i am in the process of writing a reply letter to addreess some of the concern that Daniel bring up here and in some of his youtube videos. Some of his concern are vaild but is the methods he choice to address them that concerns me…
It’s 2017 and Daniel is now living in Montreal and still doing videos but none about wheelchair accessability