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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday August 10, 2007 - 5 Transit accessibility carries a steep price By Kim Arnott SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER New provincial accessibility standards could cost $11M to implement ers faced by a growing number of elderly and disabled passengers, several suggested an even stronger message should be sent to the provincial government. "This isn't just chump change. This is a large amount of money," said Ward 4 Councillor Al Elgar, who suggested the town should make its compliance with the standards "contingent on funding." "We need some assistance here," he added. While admitting his question was somewhat flippant, Ward 6 Councillor Tom Adams asked what penalties might be imposed if the Town failed to implement the changes. Cole said the province has not yet provided any information about enforcement of the standards, although they will be implemented in stages over the next 18 years. He added he is concerned that implementation of the new standards could cost even more than he is forecasting, due to many unknown factors. Even accurately determining the number of people with disabilities in Oakville is difficult, he admitted. The most significant cost increase could come as a result of expanding the number of people eligible to use the care-A-van service. Along with temporary eligibility for people with Oakville Transit may soon be on the hook for millions of dollars in capital and operating expenses, to meet requirements under the province's Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Accessible fare payment systems, on-board announcements of stops, and a number of improvements to care-A-van, the town's specialized transit service for the elderly and disabled, are expected to cost over $11 million to implement. Once in place, those improvements will add an additional $1.6 million ­ or about 10 per cent ­ to Oakville Transit's annual operating costs. "At this point in time, there is no provision for funding of any kind from the provincial government," Oakville Transit director Barry Cole told town councillors Tuesday night. The 73 draft standards for the public transportation industry have been released for a 45-day public consultation period. Cole urged councillors to send a message to the province that funding needs to be made available to help municipalities implement the new accessibility standards. While councillors generally expressed support for the changes, which are designed to remove barri- "This isn't just chump change. This is a large amount of money. We need some assistance here." Ward 4 Councillor Al Elgar short-term disabilities, the new standards may also require the service be made available to individuals with developmental dis- abilities. It is currently provided only for people whose physical disabilities restrict them from using the conventional bus sys- tem. Cole noted that Oakville Transit has already been working to make its system more accessible to riders with disabilities. With the purchase of 18 new buses this year, about 82 per cent of the fleet is now handicapped-accessible. Fares have also been recently harmonized, to ensure care-A-van riders pay the same price per trip as riders on the traditional bus service. As well, the service is redesigning and installing new bus stop signs to meet the needs of people with visual impairments. Town councillors will make a final decision on the message to send to the province on Monday night, after the issue is discussed by the town's Accessibility Advisory and Transit Advisory committees. MATTRESS LIQUIDATION 3 FREE CHOICES Bed Frame Mattress Pad Comforter Set Up Disposal of Old Set Pillow Percale Set of Sheets Local Delivery NDS SALE E AY SUND . 5 P.M COUPON With Any Mattress Set Purchased COMFORT SLEEP Twin Double Queen Twin Double Queen 179 219 249 249 279 349 Set Set Set Set Set Set 299 369 429 399 459 549 ORTHOPEDIC PILLOWTOP 9 RESIDENTIAL, COMMERCIAL AWNINGS, CANOPIES, PORTABLE SHADE STRUCTURES IRON BED 20 OTHER MODELS 99 IRON FUTON BUNK 8 OTHER MODELS 239 FUTON COMPLETE 7 OTHER MODELS 169 NO TAX SATURDAY ONLY! LAST CHANCE on all products details at the showroom Manufactured with your choice of fade proof Sunbrella fabric, and powered by a reliable Somfy remote controlled motor. DAY BED 3 OTHER MODELS 99 STORAGE BED 3 OTHER MODELS 249 ELECTRIC BED 5 OTHER MODELS 989 TWIN/XL Burlington Mississauga 666 Appleby Line (Fairview/Appleby) Behind McDonald's 6435 Erin Mills Pkwy. (at Battleford Centre in the Tim Horton's Plaza) Call or visit our showroom at: 4090 Ridgeway Dr. #10, Mississauga 905-569-8566 www.sunguardawnings.com Mon.-Fri. 9:30am to 5pm, Sat 10:00am to 3pm 905-681-9020 Mon. - Thur. 10am - 6pm Friday 10am - 8pm Saturday 9am - 6pm 905-542-0481 Sunday 11am - 5pm