As part of our accessibility focus, I wanted to chat with someone who uses a wheelchair and knows our transportation system intimately. Brad Jacobsen is with the BC Paraplegic Association’s Peer Program. He’s also the creator of the Bus Stop Hop, an annual event that teams up able-bodied people with people who use mobility aids to partake in an Amazing Race-style competition on public transit.
It’s a pretty cool race with an aim to help people in need of accessible transit overcome their fear of it and for able-bodied people to better understand what accessible transit is all about.
Here is an excerpt from our conversation:
Brad, tell me about your injury and what happened afterwards.
I broke my neck on the May Long Weekend in 1994 in a diving accident. I dove into a glacier river in Pemberton trying to get a Frisbee. I was instantly paralyzed and left floating in the spring run off. I was able to hold my breath until a friend got me. My life took a different direction after that. I was 24 and was just accepted into BCIT’s broadcast journalism program and was thinking of becoming a teacher one day.
You know, when I finally realized what had happened, I faced my challenge head on. I thought I could overcome my disability. So I just pushed myself and did as much as I could as fast as I could. I moved out as soon as I finished rehabilitation, I got my own place and I got a job with BC Ferries.
Tell me about the challenges you face with mobility.
Working at BC Ferries, I worked eight days on/four days off without the use of the HandyDart system. At the time, it was difficult to get across boundaries, so I had to use accessible transit, which back in 1994 was still new. Not all the buses were accessible. Often, I had to wait for long periods of time when buses were full or broken down. I was often the first in line, but I wouldn’t be able to get on when the able bodied people behind me could. My eight-hour days at work were 11 hours if there weren’t any problems. Managing all the things you have to do as a quadriplegic with a spinal cord injury and being at work… was challenging but worth it.
What’s the Bus Stop Hop all about?
One of the main challenges with trying to have events was people [with physical challenges] saying that they can’t get there. There was always the excuse of no transportation, yet right under our noises was this amazing transportation system.
We were always trying to do creative things, trying to make people learn and gain confidence in a fun way. That was about the time when the Amazing Race was popular on TV, so we created an event that took the mystique out of the transit system. We got people in wheelchairs paired with a peer in a wheelchair, along with people from TransLink and a friend or family member to make teams of four. They race around the city in four different modes of transportation. Three modes are directly related to TransLink, the SeaBus, SkyTrain, and the bus system. We also incorporated the Aquabus in False Creek. We created this fun scavenger hunt/race around Metro Vancouver including Burnaby, Metrotown, and UBC. We’re going to have 15 teams this year. All the trolley buses have been accessible since 2008, so that makes the race even bigger [than earlier years]. Now, we also incorporate the Canada Line.
In this 10th year, we want to invite more executives and community partners. In the past, we have had a lot of participation from upper management at TransLink.
When is it this year?
This year it will be on August 7th, 2011. We’ll have some people who competed last year and some new people. We’ll have some people who are very competitive and some that just want to overcome their fears and just get on a bus. Having someone get on a bus on a crowded weekend along with able-bodied people can illustrates the difficulties people with physical challenges have when using transit.
Thanks for taking the time to speak with me, Brad!
Brad told me that the teams for this year’s Bus Stop Hop have not yet been finalized, so do check out the Bus Stop Hop page on the BC Paraplegic Association website. And remember that if you’d like to try out getting on a bus in a wheelchair or using a bike rack, come on down to Metrotown tomorrow, June 8, 2011, for the accessible bus trailbetween 10AM and 2PM. See you there!
Note: This is a scheduled post as I’m away this week, returning Monday April 11, 2011. If you need to reach TransLink info or staff, see this post!
SeaBus riders may have noticed that we installed a new awning at Lonsdale Quay last week!
The old awning was due for a refresh, as it was over 15 years old and still in the B.C. Transit colours. The new one has the modern SeaBus branding, plus a colourful new look. Hope you’re enjoying it!
Every year, the Vancouver Public Space Network (VPSN) takes its followers on transit for a fun Halloween ride. For three years, they’ve been on the SkyTrain, so this year they’re changing things up and taking to the water.
We’ll be riding the boat to North Vancouver, engaging in a little North Van public space take-over, and then returning. You’ll be back in Van between 9:00 and 10:00 (exact schedule still being determined).
Time to get inventive with costumes. Show up in your best Halloween finery. There’s no set theme, so get as naughty or nautical as you like.
Show up at the Seabus Terminal at Waterfront Station at 8:00pm. The Seabus will leave promptly at 8:15.
Some Things to Keep In Mind:
The Translink folks have been good to us over the years – let’s keep that fine relationship going! Remember to buy your fare or bring your U-Pass. And if you see a Coast Mountain / Seabus official, be sure to say thanks.
Be kind to the Seabus. It’s a fine space for a party, but please remember to pack out whatever you bring with you.
Not everyone who will be riding the Seabus with us is there for the party — or at least, they haven’t been forewarned. Help to share the good times. Do not maul, bite, or zombify other passengers unless asked to do so.
Remember, this is a public space party, not a kegger at your friends place. All the normal rules of good behaviour apply. We’re also a bit selfish in that regard – as we want to make sure we can continue to offer these parties in the future as well. (You can also lend a hand in this regard: if you see someone doing something stupid, tell ‘em to save it for later.)
We are not running an afterparty ourselves, but if you’ve got one that you want us to promote jet us an email. We’ll post links and details here.
Just to be clear, this is not a TransLink-sponsored event, so any event questions should be directed to the VPSN! For more information, they have provided these handy links:
Contact the Vancouver Public Space Network at info [at] vancouverpublicspace [dot] ca.
So Jason Priestley took the Today Show on the SeaBus and named it one of his favourite things about Vancouver! The scene is right in the middle of the clip above — I’ve chosen to embed the whole thing because it’s fun to see Jason Priestley recommend stuff around the city :) There’s a related article over at the NBC website too.
Second, this video captures an impromptu chorus of O Canada on the SeaBus during the Games! I hear this is happening a lot on transit, so it’s nice to see it captured.
I checked in with staff over at SeaBus at around 10 a.m. this morning, just to see how things are going.
It turned out Sunday was the biggest day ever for SeaBus, with 55,000 trips counted! Tegan and Vince, the transit hosts stationed over at Lonsdale Quay, said the sunny weather, celebration sites, sports events, and Chinese New Year brought huge numbers of locals to the SeaBus. Many were also heading in the opposite direction up to Cypress or Whistler. (There’s an Olympic departure hub at Lonsdale Quay, connecting spectators to Cypress and Whistler through the Olympic bus network.)
All in all, it was a very intense day — Tegan said she helped so many people at once that she started feeling rather bleary-eyed toward the end of it.
(For visitors who may not know, SeaBus is our ferry service between downtown Vancouver and North Vancouver — yes, our public transit system involves boats!)
The biggest change for the service is 10-minute service using three SeaBuses, every day from 10 a.m. to half-past midnight. It’s a big change because for 33 years, SeaBus has only offered 15-minute service with its two existing vessels. Last year, however, a new SeaBus was built (the Burrard Pacific Breeze!) and is now joining in to boost service for the Olympic period.
I went down to see how everyone was doing with the new timing, and Chris, a supervisor of service delivery, said everyone was adjusting just fine, even though it’s the first time SeaBus has ever changed its scheduled sailings during its lifetime. (Can you believe it?)
And here’s a few more photos and tidbits from behind-the-scenes at SeaBus.
An ad in a historic trolley for the SeaBus back in the 1970s. Photo by rickie22.
Many moons ago, Eric shared this photo of a vintage SeaBus ad in a historic Brill trolley. Can you believe the SeaBus used to be orange back in the 1970s?
Anyway, do check out the whole set of Eric’s photos, which are from a Brill trolley tour put on by TRAMS in 2007. Here’s one more:
Another ad from the Brill historic trolley. Photo by rickie22.
And make sure to see this ad: it’s pretty amazing!
I was away for the launch of the new SeaBus, the Burrard Pacific Breeze on December 23. However, several lucky blog readers made it on board and sent along photos and commentary!
(By the way, I’m told that the Breeze doesn’t have a fixed “in service” schedule this week, as a bit more staff training on the new SeaBus is currently underway. However, for the week of January 11, the Breeze is expected to be in service from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Just in case you’re trying to catch it!)
Along with my co-conspirator Rebecca AKA Miss604, we rode out the inaugural voyage outside in the breeze, on the upper deck. Nope, you can’t go there. We were invited to the bridge, interviewed the first officer (b. 1979) and checked out the spacey-looking bridge controls before stepping outside for the journey. We leaned on the rails and I waved to passing boats like an old sea commodore, I just needed a pipe to complete the perfect Vancouver morning.
Dave also says he’ll have a podcast up soon about the Breeze – I’ll link to it once it’s up.
OK, I’ve just done the draw for four launch spots (one more became available), and the winners are Donald, George, Chris, and Andrew!
You should be getting a PDF invite in your e-mail — make sure it doesn’t end up in your junk folder! I will also give you a call to make sure you’re aware that you have won.
Thanks to everyone who entered again: I had 28 people in the draw this time around!
Trials and testing for the Burrard Pacific Breeze have been extended for another week, so as a result, the first official sailing of the new SeaBus has been moved to next Wednesday, December 23, at 10 a.m.
Unfortunately, this means a few people from the first draw now can’t make it. So now I have three spots on the SeaBus launch to give away. (The SeaBus will go into service immediately after the launch ceremony, btw!)
To enter, please send an email to thebuzzer@translink.bc.ca by Friday, December 18 at 12 noon with the following info:
make your subject line “SeaBus contest”
include your name and phone number (so I can contact you quickly!)
include the answer to this skill-testing question: 12 * 19 + 31 – 26
Key items to keep in mind:
One entry per person!
If you enter, you have to come to the launch – you can’t give your spot to anyone else.
No entries from employees of TransLink or its family of companies.
The event will start at Waterfront Station on Wednesday, Dec. 23 at 10 a.m., so you must be able to make it there in time.
This draw is only open to those in Canada.
Again, I’ll randomly draw three names from everyone who gets the correct answer and contact you on Friday. (All entries will be deleted after the draw is over — I won’t keep your personal info for anything.)
I’ve done the draw and our winners are Jamey, Graydon, Ian, Adrian, and Ben!
You should be getting a PDF invite in your e-mail — make sure it doesn’t end up in your junk folder! I will also give you a call to make sure you’re aware that you have won.
Thanks to everyone who entered — I had 18 people in the final draw!
The new SeaBus will have an official launch ceremony on Wednesday, Dec 16 at 10 a.m., and I have five spots for the launch to give away!
(The SeaBus won’t be in official service until some time after the launch, and this event will also have 100+ dignitaries in attendance — just so you know!)
To enter, please send an email to thebuzzer@translink.bc.ca by Friday, December 11 at 12 noon with the following info:
make your subject line “SeaBus contest”
include your name and phone number (so I can contact you quickly!)
include the answer to this skill-testing question: 96 + 21 * 13 – 89
Key items to keep in mind:
One entry per person!!!!
If you enter, you have to come to the launch – you can’t give your spot to anyone else.
No entries from employees of TransLink or its family of companies.
The event will start at Waterfront Station on Wednesday, Dec. 16 at 10 a.m., so you must be able to make it there in time.
This draw is only open to those in Canada.
I’ll randomly draw five names from everyone who gets the correct answer and contact you on Friday afternoon. (All entries will be deleted after the draw is over — I won’t keep your personal info for anything.)
The Burrard Pacific Breeze enters the west dock on the north terminal.
I got to participate in a rescue exercise with the new SeaBus yesterday morning!
SeaBus staff ran through its man overboard procedures, and ran a huge group of people through its emergency evacuation process. All the SeaBuses do these exercises every year! And we all were quite thankful for sunny weather yesterday, since we all had to sit in a rubber raft and get towed to shore.
The new SeaBus will hopefully be in service this December — it’s awaiting certification from Transport Canada, and this exercise was part of the federal tests.
Here’s some photos of the day, and a sneak peek of the new SeaBus interiors!
Charlotte Boychuk, our intrepid photographer from CMBC’s communications department, managed to get on a work boat and snap some photos of the SeaBus in the water.
