Editor’s Note: October is Disability Awareness Month, and as a national pioneer in providing accessible bus service Metro Transit celebrates and reaffirms its commitment to providing safe and accessible service for all riders. King County’s transit culture is strong and growing. We Are Metro – Community Driven! Thanks to our Metro Transit Advisory Commission for guest blogging this week!
This October, King County Metro is celebrating Disability Awareness Month with a campaign called We Are Metro. When we work together, more of us can get to our destinations safely and on time. Whether we are young, old, Hispanic, gay, straight or blind. Metro has a long history of working to make sure that services are accessible, no one is left behind and all of us have a better ride. Ramps rather than stairs, flip up seats to keep aisles clear and automated stop information announcements so you don’t miss your stop.
Accessible equipment is just the start. What each rider does on the bus can make a better transit service for us all. Having your fare ready when you board or using an ORCA card can be your way of keeping the bus moving. Having patience when a customer with limited mobility who takes a little longer to pay fare lowers their anxiety and maybe your blood pressure! Thanking the bus driver. Offering a priority seats to a fellow customer. Keeping what you bring on board with you from blocking the aisle whether it is a pet, a mobility device or a suitcase. There are lots of things we can do to make the bus ride a good experience.
Though we speak with separate voices, we come together to form a brighter chorus that represents a common vision. And that is what this campaign is all about – working together.
Now we want to hear your story. Share your stories and pictures here on the blog, tweet us at @kcmetrobus or post on Metro Facebook, or simply add the hashtag #WeAreMetro to any social media post. Share with others how you use Metro and what you do to make sure your fellow riders have a good experience. Have you seen a driver or rider helping make the ride better? We want to hear about that too!
New!
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This month the Metro Matters blog will be highlighting what Metro does to make our services easier to access. Blog posts over the next couple of weeks will cover:
- History of accessibility at Metro – Did you know that we were one of the first transit agencies to have accessible buses? We started purchasing buses with lifts in 1979 and all of our fleet was accessible by 1999.
- Learning how to use transit – riding the bus with a disability means learning to use the accessible equipment and safety and riding tips. Metro offers free training to individuals and groups.
- Driver support – Metro drivers are out there every day to keep us moving. We’ll talk about what we are doing to help our drivers when they are out there on the road.
- Have Your Say – Metro staff is continually working to make it easier to access our services. Our final blog post of the month will give an opportunity for customers to provide input on what we should focus on next.
Would you be interested in joining us? To learn more about the Commission or to apply to be a member visit the Transit Advisory Commission website. We Are Metro!
As a westender we are totally ignored. North Admiral in particular. We use to be able to catch the 56 on weekends at 6 in the morning and be downtown in a half hour. Now it takes two buses and twice as long. Same on the return. It’s as if Alki and Admiral don’t exist.
I don’t think it’s right that my son who has full blown autism was denied access becasue he can walk around the block using the map you made and was able to make a phone call but would not be able to actually process the information and do what was advised. So now I have to drive him around to and from his destinations. Yes he can ride a bus if it’s simple short route. But there’s no way he can say for instance get to the doctors office in seattle (make multiple transfers) or go to the functions with the others disabled adults (they have access). What is he suppose to do when I can no longer drive him around? To bad he has half a brain and is physically fit. You shouldn’t isolate him just because he can do a short route. Ive’s seen others (disabled) ride the regular metro and they still have access I guess your just cutting back because of funds.
I would appreciate seeing drivers lower buses immediately when they stop. I understand if they can’t always remember, but if they take a couple seconds & see someone standing there, with a cane or other aides, it would be nice to have the bus lowered without always having to ask. Finally, it would be even more appreciated if attitude wasn’t included because I have to ask for something that would be courteous. If they showed a little compassion perhaps it would spread to passengers offering seats in the designated areas. Doesn’t seem like most people know or understand what, why or that the areas are designated.
It would sure help having at least a bench for the older & disability people to sit on at all bus stops. I realize this would cost alot of money but it is hard for some to stand a long time.
Thanks to Metro Transit for being available so my life becomes a lot happier and that i can remain independent.
Re: “New!
Sign up to receive emails about Metro accessibility, including changes likely to affect customers with disabilities and opportunities to provide feedback on accessibility issues.”
How often would these emails be sent out?
Hi Kirk G. – We anticipate sending something out approximately once a month. There may be times during a particular engagement effort, event, or emergency where we might send more frequent messages. Thanks for asking!
We responded to a Metro Promotion for a Free Orca Card with $10 fare included. It’s been awhile… Could not access any HUMAN ON THE PHONE at Metro to find out the status of our application. How long should we wait…??
Hi Big Don – Sorry we’ve been hard to reach. We got a little delayed in getting cards out, but they are on their way now. You should receive yours soon.