Re: Wednesday's post... and a few other places.

Got some mail... and a comment... the comment was reasonable (from a friend)... out of two pieces of mail, one was reasonable... the other was not.

Why all the heartache?

Well, apparently, Mr. Knee-Surgery here should not and can not speak for the handicapped, I have put my own love of old buses before my care about those who are specially-abled, and my criticism of Mr. Edwards from The Disability Rights Commission was unfounded as the buses are only transportation.

Also, very briefly, in the comment, I was called out for comparing the Routemaster buses to buildings.

First of all, I do wish to state a mea culpa... Perhaps I didn't state the case that well... but in all three communications, I don't believe that the respondants read the linked BBC article which was the basis for my missive...

If they had, they would know that out of literally thousands of Routemasters Transport for London used to run on literally hundreds of routes (over 700 different routes), there are now only two routes Routemasters are used on... the 15 and the 9 route... both of which are heavy tourist routes which are also serviced by several other routes (travelling the same roads) using the new "articulated" (bendi) buses which are, indeed, wheelchair friendly. All other routes are now wheelchair accessible.

This means that no one is being forced onto the Routemasters... and they can be completely avoided without any loss of travel time. Transport for London made sure of this.

Also, as stated, out of a fleet of thousands of Routemasters, there's now less than twenty in TfL's stables... this despite them being re-engined in the late 1990's with new Scania engines... making them the most environmentally efficient buses (save mini-buses) in TfL's fleet. The rest have been sold or scrapped.

With these facts in mind, I re-ask those three people... Do you feel it's right for Mr. Edwards to demand and even threaten the life of these last remaining buses?

...now, hang on... don't answer yet...

The Routemaster is one of London's icons. Let's face it, in North America, ANY double-decker usually gets called a "London Bus"... but the old platform loading Routemasters are synonymous with "London".

Expedia is currently running ads to bolster European tourism in the office towers of downtown Toronto... the ads feature The Eiffel Tower, The Colosseum, The Parthenon... and a Routemaster. This is over the past week I've seen this.

The Routemaster is as easily as recognised an emblem as Big Ben and Tower Bridge... and MOST people think Big Ben's the name of the clock (it isn't, it's the name of the bell inside the clock,) and that Tower Bridge is London Bridge... and it isn't. So, to hear "People don't know Routemasters from any other bus" is not accurate.

So, I ask again... Do you feel it's right for Mr. Edwards to demand and even threaten the life of these last remaining buses?

Hang on... I've got more...

The old platform loading buses needed a conductor. A man separate from the driver to sell and take tickets. Usually, they also offered advice, travel help, and on more than one occasion to your's truly, just chatted people up.

With the new drivers, the conductor is done away with for the typical "driver does it all" configuration.

...now, according to the article...

Mr Edwards is not impressed with the argument that many disabled, elderly and frail people may have preferred Routemasters because they had conductors.

That is suggesting that disabled people can only get around London "with the goodwill and behest of a helping hand", he believes.

Isn't Mr. Edwards offering the behest of his helping hand...? Y'know, the helping hand of an organisation that would like to see the death of these vehicles completely to make things "better".

Also, I have to assume that Mr. Edwards does not have any children (hey, don't get me wrong, I have a twenty-year-old who worries me...) or a wife who might be travelling on a bus at night... or spoken to all those older patrons... I can't fathom them all saying they dislike conductors because it's "demeaning".

Okay, NOW do you feel it's right for Mr. Edwards to demand and even threaten the life of these last remaining buses?

Oh, to answer the other things... when I had my initial "accident" the literally caused my knee to be rebuilt, I faced the very likely possibility of spending my life with a cane at least. I was in a brace and incapacitated for months on end and luckily, came out the other side somewhat okay. Still, I can disable myself for long stretches... the last time was literally in the act of stepping off a streetcar. My knee twisted, I fell to the ground, and had to drag myself onto the sidewalk... weeks of doctors help, being on a cane, and being unable to move properly... and Toronto's streetcars are not wheelchair accessible... yet, I went to work. I simply re-routed myself during this time to avoid the streetcar... much like I wonder if the folks who need to travel the same route as the 9 bus and 15 bus of the "Heritage Routes" could.... strike that, they know they can... I have to assume, it's because they just don't want to.

Lastly, the comparison to buildings I've already touched on... and there's a personal issue on that one as well...

Toronto also has an outspoken "advocate" of the rights of the disabled... and I totally agree that one is necessary.

Problem is, they can get bogged down in such stupidity... much like I believe Mr. Edwards and his group have now done.

They managed to get a law on the books... a GOOD law... one that requires all businesses and whatnot to be wheelchair friendly.

Problem is, this law is all encompassing... and threatened our historic sites and buildings. Very soon, the buildings at Old Fort York would need to be modified, closed, or torn down as the blockhouses and powder magazine are not wheelchair friendly and do have steps.

These are the oldest standing buildings in our city... dating to the late 1700's... but they are in ever present danger because of this ruling.

Almost all the historic homes in Toronto too are under the gun... this is about fifty properties... most over a century old.

The two arguments from these groups... build ramps and elevators which in some cases is impossible due to the very nature of the architecture (let alone cost)... and would ruin the historic footprint of the building... Close them down because if a segment of the public cannot learn and enjoy the history of these places, no one should.

That is a comment I did hear at one meeting... and then on a news interview with someone from a disabled rights group.

Do you agree with this?

It's amazing how many people I worked with (and know) that are in wheelchairs that did not agree... so many that it has been dropped... sort-of... it's still a "cause celebre" for some, but thankfully, people seem to be working around it... but once in a while, it comes to the fore again... and like Mr. Edwards, lawsuits against historical societies and sites are threatened.

When I look at what's happening in London... and the fact that it's a now tiny-fraction of a percentage of the system that are running these old buses... and that more than adequate provisions have been made for those with special needs to get around... one has to come to one conclusion...

Mr. Edwards and his group want to kill the remaining emblems of London because they don't like them.

This is why I rant.

I'm all for helping people... I've worked with the disabled (as a volunteer) on several occasions... with the Canadian National Institute for the Blind and a special care group for people with brain damage that effects their short-term memory... and do believe there are happy mediums to accommodate those with special needs and the majority of us... of which, yes, despite my early concerns and occasional issues, I am an "able-bodied male".

...but I believe also that we ALL have to understand that we cannot do everything... nor should we sacrifice everything for the sake of anyone. We should do our best to accommodate, as stated, but not at other's expense.

When someone demands to be accommodated without care for others, that's not equality... that's an attempt at superiority... and therefore, it's wrong.

So, NO, I don't apologise for my views or how I feel about my comments toward Mr. Edwards and The Disability Rights Commission... they are not asking for a right, they are demanding their own way... and for no better reason then they can.

One last time, do you feel it's right for Mr. Edwards to demand and even threaten the life of these last remaining buses?

I think it's obvious I don't... and I've backed up my side... can he, with reason and more than personal "thoughts" back up his? If you disagree, can you back up yours?

I advocate for and read all comments... and I welcome alternative views provided they are backed up by more than 'Cuz I said so! and are not decrying me as a "handicapped-hater" or using foul language. Feel free to convince me that these buses need to go... and I'll listen.

Of course, if you agree with me, that's cool too!

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