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1. Welcome, and thanks for joining us. Please introduce yourself!
Hi my name is Carlos Gomes and I'm hoping to be Hamilton's new mayor this coming elections day.
2. The planned LRT line for Hamilton has become a prominent issue in this election.
How do you anticipate this project would impact access to transit for disabled people living throughout the city?
The LRT will make accessibility for disabled people and seniors, none existent. It doesn't have any hydraulic lifting features therefore platforms would need to b construction, make conjugation on already busy streets more so.
3. Opponents of the LRT project have proposed redirecting this funding to improve Hamilton's existing infrastructure.
If elected, how do you plan to address needed upgrades to the city's infrastructure?
Like I state on Monday, I plan to use the money from not going through with the LRT to upgrade our already successful transit system.
4. In your opinion, what are the most significant aspects of Hamilton's infrastructure that need to be improved in order to increase the city's accessibility for disabled residents?
I plan to have more extended buses on our street, which can hold more travelers and is equipped with both hydraulic lift and ramps. I propose mandate of all businesses to have ramps and automated doors by summer 2019. I also believe we should be teach our youth to honor and respect themselves therefore respecting others. Children should be learn about the world how it's supposed to work, not useless worship of a mythical creature.
5. Monday's #CripTheVote chat focused on gentrification and access to affordable housing.
What role do you think public transit might play in changing the impact of gentrification?
Answered in question 4 and 5
6. Hamilton's area rating system charges city residents different tax rates, depending on the level of transit service in their ward. Disabled adults in Canada are more than twice as likely to live in poverty as non-disabled adults. They also frequently rely on public transportation to be able to participate in their communities and access needed services.
How might the area rating system impact disabled residents differently than it does non-disabled residents? If elected, do you have any plans to change the implementation of this system?
Some of the funds the city will retain from not facilitating the LRT, will be used to retrofit our city. I have other plans as well but I'll keep them to myself for now.
7. Disabled people who rely on specialized transit services, such as Hamilton's DARTS, often report that the services are unreliable, offer limited availability outside of normal business hours, and must be booked so far in advance as to be inaccessible.
If elected, do you have any plans to improve the availability of specialized transit services?
I've addressed with question several times already and find no point in repeating myself.
8. Accessibility of transit services depends not only on routes and vehicles, but on transit operators, and their awareness of and sensitivity to disabled people.
If elected, how would you work to ensure Hamilton's transit operators are adequately trained to support the needs of disabled riders?
I plan to make people more accountable in hamilton, I mean all people including us politicians. Establishment who sell over legal limited of anything will find themselves accountable for their lack in judgement. Its everyone's individual right to drink, smoke or drive. But it's also everyone's right to enjoy themselves without any fear or violence, cause by those three rights.
9. What role, if any, do you envision for disabled people in planning an inclusive and accessible for transportation in Hamilton?
If elected, how would you work to bring this about?
I've addressed this in answer #7
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