Isn’t universal accessibility always the goal?????
Accessibility is not a checklist
Accessibility is an essential and important topic in transit–and one that Transit Unplugged has deep connections to. From Paul’s first job in transit to his work at WMATA and Baltimore MTA, he has championed connecting transit to all of life’s opportunities for everyone. The father of our podcast editor, Tris, was a pioneer in helping veterans in wheelchairs live independently on their own.
So, when we say we’re committed to accessibility in all its forms–we mean it.
But when it comes to accessibility, sometimes people don’t know where to start. And this is where our guests on the podcast this week come in. Ron Brooks and Kristen Joyner talk with Paul about their new book, All Aboard: Conducting Accessible Community Involvement for Public Transit which gives real, practical strategies to improve accessibility in transit, at conferences, in meetings, and the wider world.
Ron and Kristen share how sometimes simple things make a tremendous difference in making something accessible, and often with spending little or no money. And when we make the world more accessible, we’re making the world a better place for all of us.
Coming up next week we kick off Season 8 of Transit Unplugged with a special CEO Roundtable recorded live at APTA TRANSform. Make sure you don’t miss this episode with guests:
- Andy Lord Commissioner of Transport for London
- Dottie Watkins CEO of CapMetro, Austin
- Dwight A. Ferrell CEO of Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation, Detroit
- Shawn M. Donaghy CEO North County Transit District, San Diego
- Adam Leishman CEO of Ascendal Group, Hong Kong
As they talk about the big plans in their systems and some truly inspiring visions of the future.
Follow or subscribe on Apple, Spotify, Pocket Casts so you don’t miss this special episode.
Have you watched our award-winning episodes?
We are proud and humbled that Transit Unplugged TV has won several awards this year. Our Rocky Mountaineer episode has netted two awards and our Kansas City episode was recognized by SWTA (South West Transit Association) for its contribution to promoting transit.
But have you watched them lately?
Experience a train ride through British Columbia and into the Canadian Rockies. See amazing vistas like no where else in the world, but also learn what it takes to run a five-star hotel on wheels, that also uses locally produced ingredients for its gourmet menus.
In Kansas City you can see the positive effect transit and transit oriented development have had on the City of Fountains. Experience bus rapid transit and integrated street car service that is building strong connections across this community.
Oh and have lunch with a baseball legend.
Give these a peek, we think you’ll like them.
????This Week in Transit News…
The State of New York’s very first hydrogen fuel cell electric buses have arrived at Rochester’s Regional Transit Service. The vehicles join the fleet that already has 20 battery electric buses. Source: RTS
Trinity Metro in Fort Worth has brought some true Texas swagger to Cowtown with its new Orange Line service connecting downtown to the stockyards. The Texas themed buses feature Fort Worth’s famous Cattle Drive and Billy Bob’s Honky Tonk. Source: Trinity Metro
And transit is at the center of this week’s Halloween festivities.
In Maryland, the Montgomery County Department of Transportation brings back Monster Flash, a decorated haunted house themed bus.
And in Salem, the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority and Keolis added more commuter rail trips and coaches to the trains to accommodate the volume of visitors flocking to the Witch City for its annual Haunted Happenings Festival. Sources: Montgomery County and Keolis.
