By: Marisa Hersey-Misner
Access to community resources and networks is an important part of our quality of life, but for people with sight loss, these connections may only be possible if public transit is both available and accessible. Public transit allows people to actively participate in their communities, reducing social isolation.
Many New Brunswickers who are blind or partially sighted rely on public transit to travel within their communities. In 2014, when the Saint John transit board revoked the free transit accommodation that had been available to people who are legally blind since 1929, residents took note.
The community mobilized to form a consumer advocacy group called We Are Passengers. The advocacy group provided the transit board with a list of transit systems across the country that offer free transit for people who are blind, as well as an overview of the existing barriers within the Saint John transit system. Group members also filed thirteen human rights complaints based on the existing barriers, such as lack of visible bus stops, wayfinding infrastructure, next-stop announcements, and audible pedestrian signals. Despite numerous challenges along the way, We Are Passengers chairperson Marisa Hersey-Misner continued to collaborate with the city, advocating for accessibility, inclusion, and equity.
In December 2022, after eight years, the Saint John Transit Commission reinstated the free transit accommodation.
The members of We are Passengers were thrilled with the news. They continue to advocate for free transit throughout the province and provincial accessibility legislation.
For more information or to get involved, contact Marisa Hersey-Misner at marisa.ambassador4blind@gmail.com. To learn more about how to get involved in advocating for accessible public transit across Canada, visit CNIB’s Accessible Public Transit webpage.