• Position your wheelchair at the blue International Symbol of Accessibility located on the station platform. In downtown San Diego, be sure you are boarding the correct trolley for your destination.

• When the trolley comes to a stop, the operator will line up the front door directly with you — you don’t need to do a thing.

• The trolley operator will deploy a van-type lift that folds outward, so position your chair so the lift can be properly operated.

• Wheel your chair onto the lift, or have your “Helper” do it. If your wheelchair is equipped with brakes, set them. If not, use the motor or your hands to hold onto your wheelchair securely while you’re on the lift.

• The trolley operator will activate the lift and provide assistance if requested, bringing you and your wheelchair up to floor level in the trolley.

• Move your wheelchair into the area directly behind the trolley operator’s cabin. If there is more than one wheelchair, or if you must have your chair in a more secure location, ask the operator to position your chair in the area opposite the lift doorway.

• Lock your brakes. If you don’t have any, use the motor or your hands to hold your chair in place.

• Show the trolley fare inspector your I.D. and pass, transfer or trolley ticket when requested to do so.

The trolley wheelchair lift may also be used by mobility-impaired individuals.

During certain less-busy periods, one-car trains are operated. Since there is only one lift per car, during these times every other train will have a lift in the direction of travel. If you intend to travel during the time when service is every 30-minutes, call 595-4960 to coordinate your trip to ensure a lift is properly situated. We’re doing everything we can to minimize any inconvenience.

• At the bus stop, wait near the curb by the bus stop sign. Signal to let the bus driver know you want that particular bus.

• When the bus stops, please remember to move your chair back from the curb so that the driver can safely deploy the lift. The driver will explain how to board. You’re welcome to ask for any instruction to be repeated.

• When the driver signals you to board, wheel your wheelchair onto the lift (facing either toward or away from the bus), up to the metal barrier. Keep your elbows close to your body. Use the motor, your brakes or your hands to hold your wheelchair securely while you’re riding the lift. As an extra safety measure, an outer barrier will flip up before the lift is raised.

• The lift will raise you to floor level inside the bus and the rear barrier will drop. Move to the farebox and pay your fare, or show the driver your pass or transfer with your valid I.D.

• Move down the aisle to the area equipped with wheelchair tiedowns. You’ll find this area at the first forward-facing seats.

• On some buses, tying down your wheelchair requires flipping up the forward-facing and nearest side-facing passenger seats on the driver’s side of the aisle. On some buses, the tie-downs are on both sides of the aisle.

• First, raise the sidefacing seat. Pull forward on the black knob you’ll find under the seat. Then push the seat bottom up until it locks into the upright position.

• Move your wheelchair up just a bit — to the first forward-facing seat. Pull forward on the black knob under this seat near the aisle and push up until the seat locks into an upright position.

• Now that your wheelchair is in the appropriate place, look for the tie-down located on the underside of the bench seat. It’s a metal clamp that holds the left-rear wheel of your wheelchair in place.

• Back your chair into the space so that the rear wheel fits into the metal clamp. If the clamp is closed, push on the black knob on top and it will open.

• We’ve also provided securement straps that can be attached to the wheelchair frame. Secure strap or place hook around the frame of your chair near where the seat meets the back. Then draw down on the free end of the strap to tighten it. Repeat this process for the other side of your chair.

• The wheelchair seating area also has seat belts. For your safety, and the safety of other passengers, you must use the seat belts provided. To snap the seat belt in place, insert it into the buckle until you hear it click into place. Tug gently on the free end of the belt to be sure it’s snug.

• There’s a pull cord or a yellow press strip at wheelchair height on the side of the bus. Pull the cord or press the strip to signal your stop. The best time to signal is at least one block before you wish to exit.

• When the bus has come to a complete stop, here’s what to do:

  — Release the seat belt.

  — Release the tie-down by pushing on the black knob. Or, remove the securement straps.

  — Release the wheelchair brakes and move to the doorway.

  — At the driver’s signal, move onto the platform. Use the motor, your hands or your brakes to hold your wheelchair securely while you’re on the lift. And please, remember to keep your elbows close to your body.

  — When the lift has reached the ground and the front barrier has dropped, wheel your chair forward to clear the lift. Be sure to move your chair away from the lift so the driver can restow it safely.

  Note: If you need help in boarding the lift or securing your wheechair in place, please ask the driver for assistance.

Thanks to the members of the SANDAG Subcommittee for Accessible Transportation and the MTDB Trolley Accessibility Advisory Committee. Members of these groups worked long and hard to bring safe, dependable mass transit services to persons with disabilities in San Diego.