Ion stations tested for accessibility

WATERLOO REGION — Ion transit stations are being audited for accessibility by an advisory committee that’s visiting all the stops along the line.

“We’ve had good feedback for the stations,” said Brendon Simon, senior Ion project manager with the Region of Waterloo. “There’s a lot of accessible features.”

On Monday morning, members of the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee, accompanied by regional staff, went to three stations at the Kitchener market, Borden Avenue and Mill Street.

Committee members, including those with disabilities, tested out the stations and offered advice.

“It makes it a lot easier to understand what they feel are challenges with accessibility,” Simon said.

Of the 19 stations on the route between Waterloo and Kitchener, 15 have been visited so far.

While the feedback on the stations has been positive, getting to them can present challenges as the new infrastructure blends in with the old.

“We’re seeing how the bigger picture starts to fit together,” Simon said. “The stations are great. It’s really getting to the station that is the biggest concern.”

For instance, the steep grade of an intersection near a station can be difficult for someone in a manual wheelchair to navigate. That’s especially so in the winter, when a sidewalk needs to be cleared by property owners.

“You need to be able to get to an Ion station to board the train,” Simon said.

The region is interested in the whole journey — from a home or place of business to the platform.

Input from the station visits will help to make the region more accessible in the future.

“The main message we’re getting is we need to start improving these standards,” Simon said, adding there have not been concerns in the station designs that need to be addressed immediately.

New technology incorporated at the Ion stations has been well received. That includes audio and visual information, on-demand train announcements, next train arrival display and accessible ticket machines.