DATS Gotta Change!

A while ago I posted about the DATS booking experience being similar to a game show.

Yes I admit my tongue was firmly in cheek at that time.

But the truth now is that if you are not on the phone at 30 seconds before 7:30....

...sorry to say...

….you will likely not get the trip...

Even if it's three days away.

I know that's unbelievable.

And it really sucks.

But I know a lot of people who have put their mornings...

...in some cases entire days...

...on hold to sit on the phone to get trips.

And that just isn't right!

DATS Gotta Change!

I mean, could you just imagine if the regular ETS system or LRT was suddenly down for even three weeks?

The city of Edmonton would grind to a halt.

But it probably wouldn't last long.

Because the city wouldn't want that to happen.

Because frankly people would be pissed off.

And wouldn't stand for it!

"We have jobs to get to!", they would say!

"We have appointments to keep!", they would say!

"We have life to live!", they would say!

And our able-bodied brethren would be absolutely right!

Well guess what?

We as disabled have appointments and commitments to keep!

A lot of us have jobs we have to get to!

And dammit, we have life to live too!

So let's get together, hopefully with the city.

And see if there is a plan in place..

Or be part of the solution of putting one in place if there isn't.

Because even if we look at the eventual massive cost of missed work opportunities...

...and even the added cost and strain on Alberta Health Services from missed appointments...

…there is another even more important aspect.

And that is the sense of community that DATS helps facilitate with its service.

As we go about town doing what we have to do and living how we live.

Just like anybody in the City of Edmonton.

And if the DATS service stays overworked...

...and trips just aren't available...

...the disabled just might stop travelling and become shut-ins.

And if that happens to even ten to twenty percent of us that is tragic.

Even I have started consciously reducing my trips.

And if you know me, then you know that isn't like me.

So we must also consider the physical, mental and psychological costs...

...of the current costs and strain, again on our health system.

Not to mention our straining personal pocketbooks or wallets...

...when we must shell out $40 to $100 to accessible taxis...

...to make our schedules work when we must.

Now don't get me wrong. Accessible taxis are wonderful.

And a long-awaited and welcome option for sure.

For those in the disabled community who can regularly afford them...

...in the absence of DATS round trips. Or any DATS trips, for that matter.

But the reality is, most can't.

So come on, City of Edmonton!

Let's talk and formulate a plan!

We've seen you do it.

With the bike lanes, for instance.

These allow a significant portion of the population to get around and get exercise.

But not us.

Maybe using a bike lane in winter conditions would give people an idea...

...of the current slowness and clogged nature of DATS service.

Isn't disabled transportation just as important as bike lanes?

We appreciate the tireless work of DATS drivers and booking clerks of course.

But by now, it's pretty obvious.

DATS Gotta Change!