I'm a wheelchair bound guy. Due to my impairment, I've
Been cruelly discriminated against by Greyhound of Canada.
I originally approached Greyhound of Canadais phone
Reservation point on Friday, September 25 to buy
Two round-trip coach seats from Oshawa, Ontario Canada via
Toronto Ontario, Buffalo NY and Cleveland OH to Pittsburgh PA
And back. The journey day was Oct 3, a Friday. The
Seats were taken care of by my traveling friend, Ms. Heather
Wegemer, who lives in the same area when I do (view above)
And gives exactly the same telephone number. She was likewise
Your partner touring with me.
The moment the seats have been bought, we named
Again to setup the required wheelchair help, and
Organized for that Niche Transportation Division of
Durham area Transportation to choose us up at our house in a
Wheelchair accessible automobile and consider us towards the busstop.
We were informed the handicapped help division might
Return to us.
We asked to get a primary telephone number for that handicapped
Help division, and were informed that this type of quantity did
Not occur (!).
We were also informed that people would need to organize handicapped
Help individually with Lakefront Collections of Kansas, who have been
To transport us from Buffalo to Cleveland, and greyhound US who
Might bring us from Cleveland to Pittsburgh. We did to ensure that
Friday, June 26, without any difficulty whatsoever.
Every single day handed without any term from greyhound of Canada.
We visited the will-call table in the Greyhound terminal in
Oshawa to obtain our seats, the broker there advised us that
We couldn't be acquired having a wheelchair accessible coach at
The start point-of our journey since it was a road quit
Rather than terminal, and also the coach wasn't permitted to release
The wheelchair lift except inside a terminal. This arrived like a
Excellent surprise, since we'd investigated the journey cautiously on
The Greyhound of Europe site, which stop, outlined as
Bloor West, was outlined like a FULL-SERVICE END, including
Checked luggage handling
We were extremely nervous by Thursday evening, October 1, whenever we
Ultimately obtained a phone from Greyhound of Canadais handicapped
Help division to make sure us that anything was all
Accepted and all set.
The next evening, Friday, October 2, at about 8 pm when
It was too late to get hold of anybody or do something about this,
That division called back again to reveal that 'my request a
Wheelchair accessible coach continues to be refused.'
We were shocked in the utter callousness, and also the time. On
Friday October 3, whenever we were said to be touring, I
Invested about 9 hours about the telephone to numerous divisions of
Greyhound Canada looking to get the problem settled.
Over these eight hours i talked to Mrs. Robles, Ms. Flynch
Plus one additional woman in the criticism division,
(877-463-6446) Selena in the authorized department (immediate point
972-789-7420) and somebody who rejected to provide her title at
The client help department (214-849-8966).
The street stop at Bloor West, mistakenly shown like a complete
Support end, is simply five blocks in the Oshawa Greyhound
Final at 47 Relationship road, part of Simcoe. We recommended
That wheelchair lift coach choose us up there. We were informed, not
Permitted. We recommended that people could easily get there earlier or
Later so the agendas of additional guests not be
Interrupted; we were informed, prohibited. We questioned if there have been
Every other stops within the Durham Area which were wheelchair
Raise implementation secure, since we're able to get Durham area
Niche Transport to consider us everywhere within the Durham
Area anytime of your day or evening to meet up a wheelchair
Raise coach. We were informed the coach from Oshawa to Toronto
CREATED NO OTHER STOPS, possibly before Oshawa or between Oshawa
And Toronto. (!) If this were accurate, there appeared no feasible
Cause to WOn't deliver a wheelchair lift coach for all of US in the
Oshawa final five or fifteen minutes early, to ensure that we
Might be covered without any interruption towards the agendas of
Additional guests. We were advised prohibited.
Finally, we were educated that individuals would need to start our
Journey in the final in Toronto, which recommended we couldn't
Make use of the handicapped transportation providers of the Durham Area
Specialty Transport people. I'd to embarrass myself to
Plead the daddy of my traveling friend, Mr. Mike Wegemer
Who lives in Mississauga, Ontario, to become overdue for that start
Of his day on Thursday, October 8 to be able to choose us up
In Oshawa and generate us to Toronto.
I'd like to explain this displayed NO hotel at-all
For my impairment; I, the handicapped, was compelled to support
Greyhound of Canada.
I thought that certainly somebody within the organization business
Might today look after obtaining the handicapped help
Accepted and put up; no such courtesy was provided. I had been informed
That I'd need to stop the preparations that were
Created using Lakefront Lines and Greyhound US AND REMAKE THEM,
And feel the same annoying procedure with greyhound of
EUROPE once again. I did so to ensure that same Friday, October 3.
As confirmation, I would like to suggest that the handicapped help
Handle figures released for the unique journey day, Friday
March 3, were released on Monday September 29, and were
AG299564 for me personally and CD299565 for Ms. Wegemer, that has a
Various impairment and moves having a company pet. After I
Needed to stop and remake these preparations, the brand new figures,
Released on Friday October 3 for journey on Wednesday October 8,
Were AG300543 for we and CD300545 for Ms. Wegemer. This really is
Essential as evidence that I did so certainly create those calls on
Friday, October 3, in lighting what happened later.
As before, we'd to hold back to get a call-back in the handicapped
Help division. Today, the individual at your re3servations
Phone-line who got our phone to setup handicapped help the
Second-time was a headache to cope with. She insisted that
The coach we were to consider, departing Toronto for buffalo at 8 AM,
Didn't occur. Even if I offered her the path quantity, she
Insisted that there is no such coach. Only if I informed her of
The trip beginning in Oshawa did she acknowledge the next calf
Of the journey, Toronto to Buffalo on the diverse coach, really
Endured. Then she attempted to demand that people weren't permitted to
Join that journey in Toronto, that to be able to experience that coach
From Toronto to Buffalo we'd to begin our journey in Oshawa,
Which we'd simply been informed we couldn't do. This is also
Manifestly absurd, since the coach to Buffalo at 8 am
Originated from Toronto, and thus did all of the guests on
It, once we later discovered.
That individual, a lady whose title started having a M but who
Declined to restate it after I questioned her to later within the
Discussion, in the beginning declined to obtain a boss for me personally to
Keep in touch with, but ultimately got a Michelle, who created Ms. WATTS observe
That people might certainly begin our journey about the 8am coach from
Toronto to Buffalo, then continue to Pittsburgh via Cleveland.
Again, we waited as times approved without any term in the handicapped
Help division of Greyhound Canada. Lastly,
Scared, we named the concerns point on Friday, March
6, to plead anyone to please ask regarding the standing of our
Demand. They stated they might just place it in again, having a
Observe that it was an question in regards to a demand created times
Before. We were informed in those days that people might obtain a phone
In 30 to 40 minutes. No-call back emerged that evening. The
Next evening, Thursday, October 7, at 8:15 PM, significantly less than 12
Hours before our journey was to begin (for that second-time in a
Strip!) we got a phone to express our request a wheelchair
Raise coach was refused, about the supposed reasons that people hadn't
Provided adequate notice.
Your guidelines suggest that 48-hours is enough notice. We'd
Set the demand in on October 3, for journey on October 8.
Throughout The discussion, the individual, a lady who declined to
Provide her title on the 3 times she named us, mentioned
They had no report of our demand until Friday morning
March 6, which, by your organization guidelines, was actually lengthy
Enough discover for that demand to get been given! Just
As she recognized what she'd accepted, she hung-up on me.
Today, at 8:15 PM it had been too late for me personally to contact your client
Help line, or your criticism line, or your authorized
Division.
Your trip had made preparations to become overdue for function and also have a
Automobile in a position to consider my wheelchair for that Thursday; he
Couldn't remake these preparations on significantly less than a months
Notice. We'd eaten all our materials and turn off
Resources to the house in Oshawa in expectation of departing on
Friday October 3; we'd to consume from shipping from subsequently until
Wednesday October 8. We were out-of cash in addition to materials
At that time.
Having no option, we transpired towards the Greyhound final in
Toronto over time for that 8am coach to Buffalo, and lay and
Waited in the centre of the waiting-room, informing everybody
Who'd hear our tale, before final Greyhound
Employees ultimately determined they needed to place us about the
10:30 coach to Buffalo, which may nevertheless get to time for you to create
Our 2:00 pm reference to Lakefront Lines.
The 10:30 am coach didn't possess a wheelchair lift. Our
Wheelchair, a guide, was folded-up and stowed as
Baggage, and that I was compelled e trip within the severe rear-seat,
Alongside the stinking toilet, since which was the only real
Location where I'd space to increase my broken feet.
From The moment I quit that coach in Buffalo to obtain back onto mu
Wheelchair, I had been in pain. The pain was agonizing.
Within The Buffalo final were two vehicles from Lakefront Lines.
Both had wheelchair lifts. Ni ether one worked. Allow me note
That Lakefront Lines was selected whilst the provider from Buffalo
To Cleveland by Greyhound of Europe, not by me.
Fortunately for people, abus owned by Fullington Trailways of Pennsylvania
Was within the final in those days. It'd a functional wheelchair
Raise simply because they have been planned to get two
Wheelchair guests there that evening, neither of whom
Really seemed.
Fullington Trailways got us to Pittsburgh with no end
And change vehicles in Cleveland, however the path created a lot of
Advanced stops that people came in Pittsburgh an hour or so
Later than originally planned.
As a result of this, the preparations we'd created locally to obtain
In the Greyhound terminal to my house in Pittsburgh dropped
Through, and we'd to hold back to get a minivan cab, which required
Two hours to reach while we got rained on.
The journey was agonizingly painful, unnecessarily extended, and
Mortally strenuous. It do not need to have already been.
That Is irrespective of pointless cost we were set to, and two
Months of developing panic and concern, questioning what unpleasant technique
Your company's 'disabled assistance' department' would
Draw on-US next. Missing some powerful proof towards the opposite
Later on, I am ready to get pledge the actual
Reason for Greyhound of Canadais handicapped help
Division would be to deter any handicapped individuals from driving
Greyhound of Europe vehicles
Regarding redress of my issues; I've needed to consider elevated
Blood pressure medicine since this devastating journey. Our
Physician may confirm to that particular. I'm also in elevated discomfort and
Consider tougher medicine for that. I've needed to proceed from the
Information wheelchair to some driven wheelchair consequently,
Since the level of my impairment has elevated like a result
Of the challenges of the journey.
Including real and psychological discomfort and suffering, real
Unexpected costs and common trouble, and also the
Major breach of my individual rights under Canadian regulation, I
Believe a complete reimbursement of the initial cost of the costs plus
Included payment within the quantity of $2,000.00 U.S. Is more
Than sensible to request.
Our new power wheelchair alone has price almost $8,000.00.
I also desire to recommend the next change in Greyhound of
Canada's methods and guidelines; Combine your help
To handicapped guests with that of Greyhound US. They offer
Using the issues much more effectively and expeditiously than
Your people do.
At absolute minimum, possess a distinct toll-free point to contact
To setup help for handicapped guests and submit that
Quantity broadly.
Your concerns individuals are obviously not qualified to deal with
Establishing help for that handicapped traveler, or to
Collect and transfer the necessary information. This entire company of
Having no method for the handicapped traveler to check out on the
Standing of the demand, of maintaining the telephone quantity of the
Handicapped help division a solution from guests,
Smacks of the poor film plan. It generates the recommendation that
The purpose might actually be to refuse support towards the handicapped
And abandon them without any option.
Also, within my conversations together with your numerous individuals on
Friday, October 3, I had been repeatedly informed that and that I estimate,
"we can not trouble additional guests only for one
Individual."
I would like to explain some details. I've ridden Greyhound coaches
Often since becoming impaired. It was the very first time I
Purchased my solution from Greyhound of Canada. On earlier excursions,
They did precisely that; inconvenienced numerous additional
Guests to support the requirements of the handicapped. I noticed
Vehicles kept by around three hours. I noticed individuals who had
Seats informed they should watch for the following bus towards the same
Location since the setup for every wheelchair used 6
Or 8 chairs with respect to the specific installment in each
Coach.
Indeed, on my newest trip TO Europe FROM Pittsburgh,
Before this catastrophe of the journey, After I found its way to Buffalo from
Erie, PA on the coach having a operating lift, it had been unearthed that
Despite a complete 7 days advance notice, Greyhound of Europe
Had didn't deliver abus with t wheelchair lift. It wasn't
The raise didn't function; there is no raise on that coach
What did they are doing? They set me back on the coach I'd appeared
In Buffalo on, refueled it, and created EVERY TRAVELER on the
Greyhound of Europe coach log off, obtain baggage, transfer that
Luggage towards the additional coach and obtain on it. The visit to Toronto
From Buffalo that morning was produced by a Greyhound US coach
As the Greyhound of Europe coach was used-to operate the remainder of
The united states vehicles path.
I would like to create a stage that the individual ell all appear to have
Overlooked; we're talking about trouble, frequently extremely small,
To X quantity of low-handicapped guests versus TOTAL REFUSAL
OF SUPPORT towards the handicapped when the plan of declining to
Inconvenience additional guests is followed. That's obviously
From the Canadian signal of human rights.
I'll be time for Europe this Sunday, November 9.
I'll start the journey on the Fullington coach since their
Situation to take me from Buffalo to Pittsburgh was that
They dominate the return journey aswell. ONCE THEY named you
To set up wheelchair hotels, they certainly were provided a
Immediate quantity to contact your handicapped help division.
THEY obtained full acceptance in units. They certainly were sworn to
Not expose that immediate quantity in my experience or every other traveler,
Approximately the Fullington repetition who assisted me apologetically reported
After I questioned him for this for probable future use.
Today Greyhound of Europe is laying towards the Canadian Human Rights Commission concerning the issue. If anybody available may declare to possess observed the Bloor West bus-stop in Oshawa Ontario Canada outlined like a full-service end (they've today transformed it) about the Greyhound Canada site, or may state that in Sept there is not really a separate 800-number to contact to setup help for handicapped guests on Greyhound Canada vehicles, please contact me, [email protected]. To ensure that I will contain your account against these unmitigated bastards.
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