There’s only one so far, but every time Timmins Transit buys a new bus, it will have a state-of-the-art “automatic mobility aid securement system.”
That’s a fancy name for a device that secures a wheelchair in place. Operations supervisor Jamie Millions says the passenger backs his chair in between two arms that squeeze into the chair and hold it in place.
“When the individual would like to get off the bus,” Millions explains, “he pushes the button to alert the driver that he wants to get off and then he just has to push the button to release the mobility aid securement system.”
Millions adds that that replaces the manual restraint system.
“So the entire process takes less than 25 seconds, as compared to the current system that requires the driver to get out of his seat and physically attach five points of harness to the actual chair.”
The system was on display today during the final downtown urban market of the season.