PAGE 12, WH1TBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY JUN 28s,1989 Whtby's new buses to be more acces sible Whitby is one of 17 Ontario municipalities incorporating some features in their 1989 bus orders to make convention ai transit more accessible. -The Ministry of Transportation identifies the following features that improve accessibility for persons with disabilities: - adding grab rails at entrances and exits; putting additional Iighting at stairwells and under seats; - kneeling buses which are easier to board; - PA systems inside and out- side buses; - more easily readable signage; - angled seating that is easier to get in and out of-, - more convenient locations for buttons to signal the driver when passengers wish to get off. The ministry says special buses featuring 14 improvements have alre.ady been introduced in St. Catharines. Whitby is one of the municipa- lities which will incoTorate some of the features. GO Tansit will also include some of the features. The ministry recently announ- ced an expansion to the eligibi- lity requirements for using spe- cial public transit services. We have expanded the eligibi- lity re uirement s to include per- sons who are unable to walk 175 metres, the average distance to public transit stops," said Minis- ter of Transportation Ed Fulton. The ministry bas been allotted an addîtional $5.2-niillion towards initiatives, including the features on public transit, to improve transportation for per- sons with disabilities. 0f that amount, $1.2-million will assist municipalities in handling the increased demand create d by the el'igibility demand. WHIEELCITAIRTAXIS Funds will also be used to get wheelchair accessible taxis into more areas of the province. There are now such vehicles in 10 Ontario municipalities, orders in six more, and discussion in 17 others. There are no accessible taxis and no discussion of such vehi- dles in any Durham Region munici-palities. FME RECIPROCITY The ministry- is also pursuing M FA Downtown children's festival RESULTS Bout Costume - Fancy Dema 3-5 years - 1. Cheryl Lynn Fuicher, 2. Robyn Childs. 3. Shawn Terry. 6-8 years - 1. Jennifer Crack, 2. Melissa Davis. 3. Lana Tonry. 9-14 years - 1. Christopher FUicher, 2. Grant Salnerai, 3. Jeff Dei-Bono. BtM Cotume - Funnieut 3-yers.-1. BriaKrcok, 2. Mar Brownnidge, 3. Brandon Davis. p-yars - 1. Ceiiy Grenier, 2. Laura Chrit, S. Jessica Brownridge. 9-14 years - 1. Candice Ficher, 2 Adama Chrimil. Bt Costume - Beut Desed Croup "- yearm - 1. Brian and Jennife Krook. 6-8 years-. iJessica anm Mar Brownridge, 2. Branne and Samtantha West, &. Lana and Shawn Tony. 9-14 years - 1. Christopher and Cheryl Lyna Fuicher. senior citizen fare reciprocity among municipalities, so that riders can enjoy equitable fares regardless of the municipality in which they live. A program is also being develo- ped to provide the province's smail and rural communities with special transit services. Town to consuit with'CNIB Whitby' S operations committee wants to meet with Lui Greco, district administrator for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB), before deciding on implementation of a taxi ser- vice for the visually impaired. Council was recently asked for t;he service by the Durharn Cha-p- ter of CNIB which noted local transit and Handi Transit buses were not appropriate for the visually impaired. Under the system a visually impaired person woul1d pay $100 towards t he cost of a taxi while the municipality would pick up the rem aining cost of a trip. There are approximately* 126 visually impaired people living in Whitby. The service would cost $27,500 annually. Regional transit studied IBI Group bas been selected as the consulting firm for a study of a regional transit system for D)urham. The study will determine the financial, administrative, legisla- tive and other impacts related to the provision of regional transit. Festival presented by Downtown Business Improvement Association (BIA) on Saturday. Free Press photo eset Decoemted Bleqdelecde 5 years & uhder - 1. Mficheal Le-rd. 2. Jordan Seddon, 3. Lyndale Wagner. 6-8 yeurs - 1. Lana Terry. 2. Melissa Davis, 3. Samantha Meat. 9-14 years - 1. Janet Phillipu 2. Adam Chii. Best Deooeated Mual'lanspoet 6 years & under. 1. Jesse Lee Clausner, 2. Shawn Terry, 3. Marc Brownridge. 6-8 years - 1. Jennifer Krook, 2. Jessica Browridge. BAB3Y CONTST WMNER scott Paue Money raised fer WMhy General Hoepitsl: $687.36 PET SHOW 8mai Ani-ai CIa best rshbit -1L Sneekers, Ian Fsrr. besttcatt- 1. Hippie. Travis curtis. 2. Cleoi Bobyn Nurse, &. Ginger. Kriaty Grey. best dressed pet.- 1. lny, Dans Smith, 2. Hobo, Adam Everest. Most unusal pet - 1. PIrelly. Sherry Geldart best pia., pigihamsteulgerbgimouse. 1. Hunka Munka, Rebecca L "b, dm Everest, 1. Freddy the Teddy Bear Hamster, Jennifer Crock irest 6mbah na bowl - 1. Swlmming Beauty, Shawn Geldart, 2.Mst, Sherry Geldart, 4. Arthur, In Dwia. hast bird - 1. Crackers% Andrew Nurse. Dog Categiem Iargest dog - 1. Genny, Natalle Everest, 2. Sarah Cerdesi dog wlth longest cars- 1. Winer, Scot Philpe. dog with longes a l- 1. Wner, Scott Philipa. bast groomed dog - 1. Jasper, Sarah Lreqe 2. Genny, Natalle Eoea 3. Preckies, Karli SmIUi beet trick dag.- 1. flash, Sarah Lemq, 2. lsdy. Sarah GondiLa dog wbo looka raot ke ownr - ILfRash, Sarah Leaney, 2. Jasper, MelanleLrcqe a iLady, sanh GS"on COLORING OONTEST Prscookmr L Gary Riddei, 2. Corie Horwood, a Cori i 1m 2. Jesse Lee Clananer, & Nili Oison 6-9 yearm - IL KilutinePearse, 2. Amy Joues, &. Nicole Grenler. 1O-iSyears. L IJda Carter, 2. Pbllip Povers, & Rdmet Drwy. Ml~ Group wýas one of six con- sulting frmTs invited to submit proposais to assist the Regfion to complete the study. Te Wmistr of Transportation will be> reques- ted to subsidize 75 per cent of the estimated study cost, to a maximum of $70,00 . Council, Upoh a suggestion from the local CNIB, asked the Province for funding to impIe- ment the service. Council has now been iniformed that funding is flot available, and must decide whether it will pick up the cost. The Town then received a let- ter from Greco who asked to discuss the matter with ope- rations committee before it makes a recommendation to council. Committee agreed and bas in- vited Greco to attend when pos- sible. ]Buses-wl riin Friday Whitby Transit buses will be running on Friday, June 30 and not Monday, Juy 3, during the Canada Day holiday. KID'S FE STI VAL DAVE LOEWEN of the Norco freestyle bike team reaches incredible heights as he puts on a show during the bike rodeo, part of the Children's Festival in downtown Whitby.FeePmpht BRIAN RIROOK (above), dressed as a spider, took first place in the fun- niest costume division for ages 3-5 in the parade during the C hildren's