December 10th, 2014

Isabelle Trottier

Director, Communications and Customer Service

Société de transport de Montréal

Subject: Pre-trip inspections of ramps in STM low floor buses

Mme Trottier,

Thank you for your reply sent on November 14th, 2014 regarding my questions about the

inspection procedures that the STM follows before buses depart from garages. I do understand

that buses with defective ramps cannot be taken out of service; however, I am concerned that

the STM does not conduct pre-trip inspection of ramps. I find this to be very problematic for

the following reasons:

A ramp is a fundamental tool that ensures access to buildings and public services.

Failure to perform the inspection is counterproductive to any efforts in providing

universal accessibility. Being faced with defective ramps is a major source of frustration

for people with reduced mobility that have invested in a monthly OPUS pass.

Some drivers are still not following the established protocols when the ramps are not

working. Paying clients in wheelchairs are still being forced to wait for the next bus with

the uncertainty of whether or not he or she will ever embark on a bus. Without a proper

pre-trip inspection of ramps, how can the STM be assured that a bus will be able to

allow individuals to be picked up in a timely manner?

Without knowing which bus has a ramp that functions properly, the information that

is available on the STM’s website and smartphone application can be misleading.

What is the logic of providing information to paying clientele if the data is not

completely valid? The STM can indicate which buses are wheelchair accessible on a

schedule; however, if I cannot embark on a particular or consecutive buses, then I find

the information that is available to be of little use. A “smart” public transit agency

would be able to know of defective ramps and share such information with its clientele

in real time.

Based on my research and contacting professionals in the public transit sector from across

North America, I found that several public transit agencies (in cities of various sizes) do conduct

these inspections. I was referred to the Canadian Council of Motor Transport Administrators

and the Motor Carrier Passenger Council of Canada. Both entities have a set of standards that

recommends transit operators perform pre-trip inspection of the ramps. Furthermore, I was

told by professionals that are members of American Public Transportation Association that the

inspection is an industry standard as transit agencies are mandated to respect the American

Disabilities Act in regards to providing public accessible transit services.

If STM selects not to find way to perform these inspections in the new fleet of buses and

executives do not begin to proactively discover a long-term solution to this issue, then I fail see

how the STM and the City of Montreal can be really dedicated to universal accessibility.

Govern yourself accordingly,

Ian Smith

CC: Philippe Schnobb

Denis Coderre

Marvin Rotrand

Mary Deros

Arel Salem

Brian Smith