JocelynAug 21, 2023

A #HulloFerries #accessibility update thread:
1/ Thursday I was apparently the first wheelchair user to try out Hullo, here are my initial observations.

If you are permitted (that is to say you don’t use a power wheelchair or power assist, and you can transfer yourself to the guest seat for the trip) it’s smooth and convenient. The ride was pleasant, if a little crowded. The docks are pretty accessible and Vancouver location is convenient.
#vancouverisland #BC #disability #equity

Show threadJocelynAug 21, 2023
2/ #HulloFerries #Accessibility concerns/feedback: I share these not as a list of grievances, but to try to correct the huge information gaps and inconsistencies on Hullo’s own website. I’ll be sharing a detailed list of feedback with Hullo and other folks who have helped me on this effort to help Hullo understand its responsibility for accessibility, but here’s the best summary I can offer. #VancouverIsland #AccessibleTravel #transportation #equity #BC #BritishColumbia
Show threadJocelynAug 21, 2023
3/ #HulloFerries Boarding: between shallow ramps and lots of staff to help, it was pretty smooth. The #Nanaimo ramp is almost flat with a minor slope down from terminal to dock. All ramps have a rubber surface that adds some resistance for wheelchair users, but good traction. The bridge from the ramp to vessel is wide. It’s a very small space with another ramp over the 4-5” threshold to enter the cabin, barely wide enough for a manual wheelchair. #VancouverIsland #equity #BC #accessibility
Show threadJocelynAug 21, 2023
4/ #HulloFerries #accessibility Seating: There are only four “wheelchair guest” seats you can book, and only two are somewhat accessible if you can’t stand or walk. All 4 include a space for the wheelchair that is just an open space about two seats wide, no tie downs. The two near the back by the bathroom & snack bar have tables mounted in front. You must be able to stand to shuffle in to the seat sideways. #VancouverIsland #AccessibleTravel #transportation #equity #BC #BritishColumbia
Show threadJocelyn
5/ #HulloFerries #Accessibility The 2 wheelchair seats (1 near each door at front of “comfort” cabin) are aircraft style seat by the window. The bulkhead is very close to the seat and the armrests on all seats don’t raise or remove for transfers. I was barely able to by wedging my chair in the gap between bulkhead & seat the distance from my butt to knee. I did have trouble. Taller ppl will not be able to transfer to these seats from the front, must go over the armrest. #BC #VancouverIsland
Aug 21, 2023 at 5:44pmWeb
Show threadJocelynAug 21, 2023
6/ brief interlude for a meeting, pls stand by
Show threadJocelynAug 21, 2023
7/ #HulloFerries #accessibility
I’m not certain that the arm rests could handle transferring over them. There are two regular seats in row 15 that would be much easier to transfer into, but those can’t be booked at the wheelchair rate and would have to be booked separately from the wheelchair space, making one person’s travel $40 (for the passenger seat) + $20 (for the wheelchair parking spot). #BC #BritishColumbia #VancouverIsland #accessibleTravel #equity #transportation
Show threadJocelynAug 21, 2023
8/ #HulloFerries #accessibility While underway: The day was pleasant, and only a low-key sway of the vessel on the water. All the non-disabled passengers were milling about and nobody cared that I got into my wheelchair to go to the washroom myself. This is ideal, but not what Hullo communicates on its website or to passengers with wheelchairs. No Hullo wheelchair was offered to assist me to the washroom, and there was no way to signal staff from the seat. #BritishColumbia #BC #VancouverIsland
Show threadJocelynAug 21, 2023
9/ #HulloFerries #accessibility The passenger safety video has a bunch of “super important safety information!” words in it but the safety info is communicated by audio. I bet Deaf passengers would be thrilled to know they are missing the instructions despite the safety video, and half is only visual, an issue for #blind & #lowvision passengers. On a sunny day it was quite hot on the sunny side of the ship with no window shade. #BC #AccessibleTravel #transportation #equity #disability
Show threadJocelynAug 21, 2023
10/ #HulloFerries #accessibility The accessible washroom was quite large, probably to code. The button to flush is above the toilet and too high for me to hold for 5 seconds. There’s a fold down grab bar that needs some signage on how to use it, but very useful. Washroom needs more grab bars. Some buttons for soap and water temp at the sink require finger dexterity, but faucet is touchless. There’s even an angled mirror!
#AccessibleTravel #transportation #equity #disability #BC
Show threadJocelynAug 21, 2023
11/ #HulloFerries Parking and terminal: The Nanaimo terminal lounge is very small - only 20-30 passengers fit. There’s no shelter outside the terminal buildings for either end, & no designated area for disabled psgrs to wait for assistance. Nanaimo lounge has an accessible washroom (shared with Helijet). Have to wonder what Hullo will do when the rain comes in the fall - both terminals had long lines with no shelter. #VancouverIsland #ferries #BC #accessibility #equity #BritishColumbia
Show threadJocelynAug 21, 2023
12/ #hulloferries #accessibility accessible parking is great (I love a proper access aisle!) but 2 city blocks from the terminal. I’d love to see a reciprocal agreement with Helijet to use its accessible parking next to the terminal. It's not quite "Van-to-Nan" as they say - the #Nanaimo terminal is a 15-20 minute walk from the bus stop at Port Place which will be an important connection for Blind and low-vision passengers #BC #VancouverIsland #AccessibleTravel #Transportation #equity
Show threadJocelynAug 21, 2023
13/ #HulloFerries #accessibility Reservations: Wheelchair users must reserve using a separate and almost invisible link on Hullo.com; ♿️ seats assigned at the gate based on if you have a companion (who also get the lower price of $20 per trip). What if you can't stand to transfer to the seats in Row 20? What if you and your partner are both wheelchair users? What about disabled passengers who don’t use wheelchairs who need assistance to board? #BC #Nanaimo #accessibleTravel
Show threadJocelynAug 21, 2023
14/14 #hulloFerries #accessibility PHEW! tl:dr Some major issues, some minor. They seem rushed to launch & poor communication about access. No consultation was done, but they excuse it as a new, innovative startup with investors to please. No wonder it's so hard for people with #disabilities to trust that they will make the necessary changes to make the service #accessible when there's no commitment indicated, and communication is so bad. #Nanaimo #VancouverIsland #transportation #BC
Show threadJocelynAug 21, 2023
Final thought: This thread would have been very short if I used a power wheelchair or could not transfer myself to the "wheelchair guest" seat, or needed to remain in my wheelchair throughout the voyage. Still no straight answer from #HulloFerries about what federal regulation requires the exclusion of powered mobility users (including scooters!). We are working to close the regulatory grey zone this service falls into that allows them to violate #transportCanada #ATPDR. #BC #VancouverIsland
Show threadWesley HartfordAug 21, 2023
@jocelyn Thanks for this great thread. I'm looking forward to trying #HulloFerries and hope they make some of the improvements you've suggested.
Show threadJocelynAug 22, 2023
@wfhartford @jocelyn glad it was interesting! :)
Show threadNeal JenningsAug 22, 2023
@jocelyn I assume it's the same regulation (or perceived reg'n) that prevents them from allowing e-bikes, which makes their service pretty useless for me personally. Something to do with the batteries I'm sure. I don't think it makes any sense, tho, as that doesn't stop BC Ferries, or Seabus, from accepting passengers w/ electric wheelchairs, so I don't know why they're different. I suspect there's some element of "we don't want to be bothered with anything complicated," which is unacceptable.
Show threadJocelynAug 22, 2023
@nealjennings similar. One main issue is about Lithium batteries, considered dangerous goods by international and Transport Canada regs. There are carve outs for Li batteries used in personal mobility devices for disabled passengers. Unfortunately for some reason intraprovincial ferries aren't under the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Act which would make their objections moot. 1/
Show threadJocelynAug 22, 2023
@nealjennings 2/ I think Hullo is justifying this exclusion bc of their regulation by the High Speed Vessel Code and then ignoring any questions about it assuming they have no responsibility to it further. The other issue is requiring psgrs to sit in a seat is a misreading of the "one seat per passenger" regulation in the HSC. I only gleaned this through casual conversations with their exec staff while on one of the first sailings. It's taken weeks to get any kind of response.
Show threadNeal JenningsAug 22, 2023
@jocelyn that all checks out... I hope that as they get a foothold, they start to figure these things out. We're allowed to bring Li batteries in the passenger area on a plane, so I don't see why a ferry, even a relatively fast one, would be a bigger risk.
Show threadJocelynAug 22, 2023
@nealjennings exactly - power assist devices like those used to attach to a manual wheelchair use lithium ion batteries very similar to those used on an electric bikes. They are also allowed in the passenger cabin on a plane which to me takes away any justification Hullo is using. Power wheelchairs use lithium metal batteries, which are still allowed but must be disconnected before air travel.
Show threadNeal JenningsAug 22, 2023
@jocelyn I suspect there's some weird difference between maritime and air travel laws (I'm certainly no expert), but I also think that if that is the case then the laws need to be updated!
Show threadJocelynAug 22, 2023
@nealjennings @jocelyn indeed! In this case they think it’s different bc it’s a high speed craft (which has its own regs) tho dangerous goods transport code applies to any kind of vessel, so.... 🤷‍♀️