Low-Floor bus accessibility update

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Okay folks... I'm just going to preface this by saying... I'm just the messenger.

Disney has recieved its latest shipment of 24 new Nova LFS low-floor buses. These buses are virtually identical to the previous shipments, with only minor changes. (Visually, you can identify them by the Disney Transport logo on the rear engine lid). They are buses 4862-4885.

I have not yet been able to figure out why, but we have recieved a memo stating that on the new shipment of buses only, we are not allowed to use the rear most securment area for wheelchairs. At this time, only the front one may be used. This means, there is only room for one mobility device to be secured down. Disney apologises for any inconvenience this might incur.

This is only temporary, and only for buses 4862-4885. Once again, I don't know the exact reasoning at this time, and don't know how long it will be until the restriction is lifted. It could be tomorrow, it could be next week, it could be next month. My best guess is that it has to do with the rear restraint system not locking down securely. Safety is our #1 priority, so if that is the case, the restriction won't be lifted until the buses are retrofitted accordingly.

The older low floor buses (4815-4861), and of course the lift-equipped RTS buses still have room for two mobility devices, and those should be operating with no problems that I know of. Any more than two, please call 407-WDW-RIDE, and we have special buses that can accomodate up to 5 mobility devices.

That's all the information I have.

 

[Nanajo1]

Thanks for the update.
I'm taking a deep breath. I will not worry. My trip isn't until November. Deep breath, I'm sure the retrofix will be done by then. PD to everyone who is going soon. I hope everyone gets accommodated.

 

[Talking Hands]

Thanks for the update. Just hoping I don't get inconvenineced by one on my June trip. I ended up missing a show last June because of the buses and I was not a happy camper. No one seemed to understand the fact that if I miss it the show is not accessible to me at a later time. That only works for hearing people.

 

[SueM in MN]

Thanks for the update.
Lisa's comment brings up another question, Can someone who is not able to use the lowered floor ramp buses and needs to be somewhere at a specific time (like Lisa to get to the interpreted show) call the 407-WDW-RIDE number?

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Chances are, you won't encounter this problem. There are only 24 out of 265 buses affected, and out of those 24, about half of them are sitting back at Vehicle Maintenance. (The new buses have issues already) And most of the time, all we really need is one securement area. As a driver, it's not often that I need to use the second one.

However of course, if there's a need to follow a strict schedule, and you need a specific type of bus, whether it be a lift-equipped bus, or the low-floor, either give us a call and let us know, or communicate with Guest Services at the resort. Worst case, the first driver you see, let them know. We don't really need much notice at all.

 

[dclfun]

Sue- As I frequently have problems on the busses ( one broken kneecap, a lift that leaked hydraulic fluid and thus I was stuck on there for an hour while it was fixed, etc, etc.) I've been told that I can "make an appointment" for a specific type of bus at a specific location anytime. Sometimes the bus stop I'm told to go to isn't the same spot where I'd pick up a bus back to my resort. Once I was transported by a minivan. Usually this works well and I'm careful to be early to these appointments as I appreciate the service immensely. I don't use it often, but when I need to be certain to be somewhere at a specific time, it's been helpful. I really need the new type busses as my chair is so long with all the attachments and drivers don't like to load it on the older type bus. I'm really glad to hear there are more of them on order and would rather wait for one than to have the other troubles. ---Kathy

 

[SueM in MN]

We rode one of the minivan "buses" once when we had been waiting a long time (the first bus didn't have a lift and the next bus had a broken lift). The dispatcher called it for us, but I didn't realize that there was a number you could call to arrange it.

 

[Talking Hands]

Great when you are completely hearing but for me it really isn't much use. I can't hear on a regular phone anymore and have to use a specially equiped one. Don't travel with it.

 

[dclfun]

Lisa- Although I could've called for a bus myself, there's usually a dispatcher at all the bus stops. To make the prearranged trips though, I've gone to Guest Services beforehand to set things up so I've never had to use a phone. ---Kathy