NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF TIMMINS
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Timmins Transit is proud to offer the most innovative technology, improving safety and accessibility for its riders with Q’Straint’s Quantum automatic rear-facing securement system.
According to the Journal of Rehabilitation Research and Development “94 per cent of all injuries to wheelchair bus passengers are from tipping or falling out during normal vehicle maneuvers.”
While all 19 of the current conventional buses in the Timmins Transit fleet have low-floor accessibility with manual securement areas, it is not mandatory for someone in a wheeled device to be secured, and the rider must request this service from the driver.
“The current method of securement for a wheeled device takes time, and as such, requests for this service are few and far between,” explained Transit Operations Supervisor Jamie Millions. “This new system, which secures in less than 25 seconds and requires zero assistance, will provide more independence for someone with a mobility aid, and provides ease, convenience and added safety for all riders.”
The newest bus to the fleet (#105) which replaced one of the older and now obsolete buses, was featured today at the Urban Park. Representatives from Timmins Transit and the Timmins Municipal Accessibility Committee (MAAC) came together to show off this new technology in order to give those who may require this type of service the opportunity to feast their eyes on this state-of-the-art technology and experience its ease of use.
How it works:
- The mobility passenger centers their wheelchair or scooter against the backrest and engages the automatic locking sequence by pressing an ADA-friendly button.
- Quantum's arms safely secure the wheelchair in place; and continually adjusting their grip as need throughout the journey.
- Once the vehicle stops at a destination, the button is pressed again to release the passenger so they can disembark.
With a life expectancy of 19 to 20 years, all buses retiring from the Timmins Transit fleet will be replaced, as required, with buses featuring the Quantum technology.
The City of Timmins encourages those using public transit to download the Timmins Transit app, which allows riders to track bus locations in real time. The app will also indicate whether or not the bus is equipped with the Quantum system.
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