Tyler Transportion Coments and Questions

[IamCanadian]

Just got back from my trip to WDW and had no major problems with the transportation at Disney. The longest wait time for a vehicle was at max 15 minutes including leaving PI around 1 AM. I was travelling with a person in an ECV. Only encountered one bus where the ramp was not functional and had to wait (5 minutes) for the next bus. I thought that if a person that required a lift the bus was deemed full and no one got on the bus. The bus driver picked up everyone else at the bus stop. We encounter another problem in that we got on the bus and then the lift failed to work and a call had to be placed to maintenance to get off the bus. It took about 10 minutes to get off the bus. The CM differ in the way they load the ECV's and secure them to the bus. Most of them required to back up the ramp or lift; however there were a couple that wanted the ECV driven in. There was one CM that did not secure the ECV at all to the bus and there were some that required the user to wear a seatbelt if they stayed in the chair. What is Disney policy?

TIA

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

According to ADA Law, and Disney Transport training, if a guest using a mobility device is unable to board the bus due to the fold up seats being in use, the bus is deemed full, and no one else can board. However (and I could be mistaken on this part), if the lift is out of service for mechanical reasons, then other guests can board the bus.

In regards to how an ECV can board the bus... with a lift, the law states that the guest can board in any direction they choose. However, since ramps are so new (relatively speaking), there is no such law, and so Disney Policy is that they MUST be backed into the bus if it has a ramp.

As for the seatbelt... it is not required to be worn, however, the driver must offer it. You CAN decline the seatbelt if you wish.

As drivers we always STRONGLY encourage that a guest using a 3 wheeled scooter transfer to a regular seat. The reason being is that the scooters do not have good tie down points, and with a person on them, on a bus, the center of gravity is raised, and they become unstable, and easy to tip over.

 

[JudithM]

Interesting comments & observations regarding ECVs on WDW busses ...

I have use an (offsite) ECV at WDW several times over the last two years. If I had to describe the expereince in one word, it would be "inconsistent." Overall most of the bus drivers have been very helpful & patient. Several have told me to take my time while getting on the bus.

Most of the time the bus driver closes the front door after unloading passengers. Then the driver comes to the back door for me & the ECV. For awhile the drivers had no problem with me driving forward onto the bus. Then all of a sudden on our last trip things changed - a couple of bus drivers got down right nasty about only going in reverse to get on the bus. (It was about 1 a.m. when I left the MK. When I got to our room, I had a long chat with a transportation supervisor.)

If the bus is not crowded, then I will probably sit in a seat on the bus. If the bus is crowded, then I will sit on the ECV. Only the nasty driver made me be buckled onto the ECV. I did not like the trappped feeling. I have never had a bus driver not be able to secure the three wheeled ECVs. The bus has straps to secure the ECV - two straps in the back & one for the front.

If a bus arrives & the lift does not work, I see no reason for the bus driver to make other guests wait (assuming there is room for more passengers). One afternoon at DTD a bus did arrive & the lift was not working. The bus driver went into the transportation booth & requested another bus come to get me. No problem! I appreciated his efforts & let a manager know.

On the busses I thought there was a sign above the seats where EVCs are placed that says something to the effect that one might be asked to move to accomodate guests with disabilities. In one of my first bus experiences with the ECV, the bus driver asked the guests to move. No problem, they moved. Once I got on the bus a little girl - maybe 5 or 6 - was looking at me. I explained why she was asked to move & why I use the ECV. she seemed to understand, & her dad thanked me as they got off the bus.

Tyler, I am curious ... can a guest with disabilities find any of this Disney policy/info in writing? Thanks!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by JudithM
For awhile the drivers had no problem with me driving forward onto the bus. Then all of a sudden on our last trip things changed - a couple of bus drivers got down right nasty about only going in reverse to get on the bus.

Originally, this was allowed. However, after a situation occurred, Disney management made the decision to only allow guests to back onto the bus.

Originally posted by JudithM
If the bus is crowded, then I will sit on the ECV. [...] I have never had a bus driver not be able to secure the three wheeled ECVs. The bus has straps to secure the ECV - two straps in the back & one for the front.

Once again, no matter how crowded it may be, we strongly reccommend that you please take a seat. Yes, we can strap the ECV down, however, due to the way the ECV is designed, and lack of decent strap down points, the straps will only prevent it from going forward or backward...

(It should also be noted that the majority, if not all, of the offsite scooter companies have a clause in thier contract that you are not to ride it while on a bus)

Originally posted by JudithM
On the busses I thought there was a sign above the seats where EVCs are placed that says something to the effect that one might be asked to move to accomodate guests with disabilities.

Indeed, there is a sign. We can (and do) ask that if there are seats available, for them to move to the available seats. If there are no seats available, we can ask that they give up thier seat, but we cannot force them. There also have been situations where the bus has been virtually empty, and a guest has refused to move to another vacant seat. Why, is beyond me... *sigh*

 

[JudithM]

Tyler, thank you for your input on this subject. I can only begin to imagine the variety of guests you have to deal with on a daily basis. Thank you & you & your coworkers for being so safety minded.

Thank you for explaining why I now have to enter the bus backwards/in reverse. In this day & age of litigation, I can only imagine what might have triggered the decision .

Interesting point about the off site company's contract. I've never seen a contract! Perhaps I should ask .

Overall I have been very pleased with the service I receive from WDW transportation while using the ECV. I usually stop & make a comment to a transportation supervisor or make a phone call to a supervisor when I get back to the room. Thanks again, Tyler!