By: Debbie Jeffery
In the fall of 2021, Dieppe, N.B., began modifying its existing bus service. The community, one of three Greater Moncton communities served by the local transit system, is gradually replacing its three existing bus routes with an on-demand shuttle service. Transit users must access the service through either a smartphone app or phone.
A regular commuter in Dieppe, Joline Larade encountered significant accessibility challenges when trying to access the on-demand smartphone app. Efforts to discuss these challenges with the City were not successful, so Joline reached out to CNIB for support.
The smartphone app, called Blaise, requires users to create an account and then use the app to indicate when they need to be picked up along one of the shuttle routes. While this system is convenient for some, it poses significant accessibility barriers for people with sight loss.
- The app is not fully accessible for people who are blind or partially sighted.
- Bus stops for pick up and drops off are only confirmed when the trip is requested and may not be the nearest stop to the point of origin or destination.
- The app does not provide information about the type of vehicle arriving.
- Booking trips may require the use of unreliable public WiFi or finding a payphone.
- Rides are free during the transition, but the future cost is expected to be a reduced cab fare rate.
CNIB’s New Brunswick advocacy committee continues to work with Joline and others to ensure the City and its citizens understand the impact of these changes. There is growing concern that on-demand bus service will impact people beyond Dieppe, as a similar system is considered in Saint John.
If you are living in the Dieppe region and would like to get involved, reach out to Debbie Jeffery, Program Lead, Community and Volunteer Engagement, at Debbie.Jeffery@cnib.ca or call 506-857-4240 ext. 5611.