Transit System Unfare

Brandon leaders are certainly not in a charitable mood this festive season. The City recently proposed a rate hike for users of the Handi-Transit service, which provides people in wheelchairs with transportation around Brandon. The justification? It boils down to the decision being necessary because of costs and sustainability.

See, the problem is that his hits the transit users very hard. People in wheelchairs rely on this service to move around to jobs, appointments, going out and having fun, bascially the same things many other people take for granted. Not only do the increases mean restrictions as to what these people can do, but some may also be forced to quit their jobs. Others may be unable to work and have to rely on social assistance, which isn't that much. They are in wheelchairs because of circumstances beyond their control, and this is merely kicking someone who is already down. It also runs contrary to the idea of moving towards being a community that is accomodating to and inclusive of people with physical challenges.

The people who proposed this have been very shortsighted. They merely looked at the financial aspect, without trying to consider how it feels to have your movements heavily restricted. They aren't the ones who will have to see their transportation expenses go up. Someone suggested that city officials confine themselves to a wheelchair for a week and move around that way. Good idea, let's hear them justify the rate hike after having done that!

If any readers wish to contact the mayor or other councillors on this issue, such information is provided through the link to the City of Brandon website on the right hand side of this page.