Alana Tyers, Manager, Transit Services and Eva Wong, Transit Planner spoke to the 2024 Annual Accessibility Report and its highlights including: the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, MiWay bus fleet colour transition to orange, bus destination sign improvements, transit wayfinding, infrastructure improvements and bus shelter design, training for operators and customer service staff, and upcoming MiWay initiatives.
Barbara Donaldson, Stakeholder Engagement Manager, Arcadis spoke to the engagement process for the MiWay 5 and 10-year plan and asked Committee Members for feedback through the following question: "We often hear from our customers about the importance of reliability, frequency and fares, other than these factors what are the most important goals and priorities for transit service in Mississauga in the next five to ten years to grow transit and better integrate MiWay with other GTA transit agencies?"
Committee Members provided the following comments:
- Training for bus drivers on improving access and rider experience for little persons
- Testing accessibility through the ability communities and incorporating various forms of technology, including voice-activated information gathering
- Improve bus frequency and reliability
- Incorporate verbal announcements
- Add heated bus terminals
- Improve fare rates
- Add wheelchair battery charging stations
- Include phone charging stations and electrical outlets at higher level
- Improve micromobility and e-scooter accessibility
- Update signage on buses
- Incorporate QR codes and braille
- Add service animal drink and relieving stations
- Incorporate moveable arms in buses and stationary arms
- Develop emergency management awareness and kits
- Provision of electric buses and solar panels on bus stops