Wheelchair users can’t always roll onto the Rocket

The TTC is apologizing to riders with disabilities who are struggling to roll their wheelchairs onto the city’s new Toronto Rocket subway trains.

The Rockets, which cost about $1 billion in total and are being paid for by all three levels of government, include many new accessibility features, including three flip-up seats to accommodate wheelchairs, mobility devices and strollers. Decals and blue lights on the train exterior indicate the doors closest to those designated accessible areas.

But, depending on the station and the passenger loads they’re carrying, the new trains sometimes sit too high above the platform for wheelchair users to board.

The first time a Toronto Rocket pulled up in front of Jordan Lavoie, 22, at Eglinton, he couldn’t get his motorized wheelchair up over the threshold.

“It’s a nice train, but if you can’t get on it, the interior doesn’t matter,” he said

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