Blind ignorance on bus

An encounter on a Kelowna transit bus has left a woman who is legally blind shocked and feeling discriminated against.

Michelle Jorgensen went to board a BC Transit bus at about 6:40 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus when a driver started screaming at her to get off the bus.

“Honestly, I felt really disgusted that anyone working in that kind of job would act that way. I was really shocked,” she said. “I honestly didn’t know why I was being shouted at.”

She heard beeping coming from the bus, but she thought it was safe to board.

“When I step on the bus, the driver started shouting at me ‘get out! Get out,’ so I backed up and he said ‘I put my hand up, didn’t you realize something was going on’.”

Jorgensen then told him no, she is legally blind.

After she boarded the bus, she claims the remarks from the driver didn’t stop.

“The driver continued to shout at me three more times and said ‘you are blind and the beeps didn’t tell you something was going on’,” she recalls.

Afterwards, Jorgensen was told the beeping was for a ramp being lowered so that a person on a wheelchair could enter the bus.

Up to this point, BC Transit drivers have been very courteous to her and she said she depends on the bus system.

BC Transit spokesperson Shellene McConnell says they are aware of the incident and are investigating.

"We do expect all of our driver to conduct themselves with courtesy and respect at all times. We are very sorry this occurred," she said. “We work hard to create a safe and inclusive environment for all of our passengers.”

McConnell said the bus drivers are First Canada employees.

“We have contracts with First Canada, they are the actual operators of the Kelowna transit system and they will work along side with the union for their employees," said McConnell.

She wouldn't disclose if disciplinary actions would be taken, but said they are speaking with the driver. 

"We are following up with the driver as appropriate and if discipline is warranted it will be taken," said McConnell.

Jorgensen says the entire encounter has left her feeling discriminated against.

“And in my opinion it does fall under hate speech and our constitution says you can’t do that,” she said.

Castanet News will update this story if more information becomes available.