This article is also available in: 日本語
When I visited San Diego, I was so impressed by the trolley’s system.
In Japan, most of the train and subway have a gap between a cart and a platform. Therefore, at first Moon Riders (wheelchair users) would need to ask a station staff to bring a mobile ramp to help Moon Rider passengers board the train.
The station staff would then contact another station, where the passenger gets off and make sure that another mobile ramp can be ready by then for the passenger to get off the train. After this process, the passenger finally can get on a cart. It might take more than 10 minutes to take train if a station is big and busy.
The trolley in San Diego, however, is very easy.
There are wheelchair marked buttons on both outside and inside of carts. When you want to get on and off a trolley, you just press the button. Then a ramp automatically comes in and out from the cart.
I have introduced “T”, a train system in Boston in this blog, and said “When you take the green line, press a wheelchair marked button on train (*1). Then a train staff will come to operate the auto ramp to assist you board the train.” It means that you still need someone to help you get on board in Boston. In San Diego, you don’t need anyone to help you. You can get on and off whenever you want to.
If you visit San Diego, take trolley in person and visit places!
*1 You can read our Boston trip report from here.