Overview
The information below discusses who the Transportation Standard applies to and the requirements of the Standard.
Who the Standard Applies to
The Standard must be followed by:
- the Ontario Government and Legislative Assembly
- all designated public sector organizations, which include municipalities, universities, colleges, hospitals, school boards and public transportation organizations
- private businesses and not-for-profit organizations that have one or more employees in Ontario
The Transportation Standard applies to conventional and specialized public transportation providers that operate solely in Ontario:
- Conventional transportation services
- Transit buses
- Motor coaches
- Rail-based transportation
- Subways
- Commuter rail
- Specialized transportation services
- Taxicabs
- Ferries
Required Practices
Both conventional transportation service providers and specialized transportation service providers must:
- Make information available to the public on accessibility equipment and features of their vehicles, routes, and services.
- Provide accessibility training to employees and volunteers.
- Not charge a fare to a support person accompanying a person with a disability when that person requires a support person.
- Meet additional transportation-specific requirements in their accessibility plans.
Conventional Transportation Service Providers
Conventional transportation service providers must:
- Meet technical requirements providing for accessible lifting devices, steps, grab bars/handrails, floor surfaces, lighting, warning indicators and alarms, and route signage.
- Not charge people with disabilities a higher fare than people without disabilities
- Not charge for storing mobility aids or mobility assistive devices, such as wheelchairs or walkers.
- Provide on-board audible and visual stop announcements.
- Provide clearly marked seating for people with disabilities.
- Support people with disabilities during service disruptions by offering alternative accessible arrangements, if necessary, and accessible communication.
Specialized Transportation Service Providers
Specialized transportation service providers must:
- Develop an eligibility application process and implement the eligibility criteria set out in the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation.
- Charge passengers no more than the fare charged on conventional transportation services.
- Make specialized services available to eligible visitors.
- Coordinate connections with other specialized providers in neighbouring municipalities.
- Not restrict the number of trips that a person with a disability can request.
Other Transportation Service Providers
Public school boards
Public school boards that provide transportation services for students must provide integrated accessible school transportation services.
If that is not possible, or if it is not the best option for a student because of the nature of his or her disability or safety concerns, then the school board must provide appropriate alternative accessible transportation services.
Public school boards must also develop individual school transportation plans for each student with a disability.
Hospitals, colleges, and universities
When requested, hospitals, colleges, and universities that provide transportation services, such as shuttle buses, must provide accessible vehicles or equivalent services.
Ferries
Operators of ferries must meet specific requirements found under the Standard, as well as under the federal “Ferry Accessibility for Persons with Disabilities” Code of Practice.
Integrated accessible school transportation services
Integrated transportation means that all students, including students with disabilities, travel on the same school transportation vehicles.
Duties of Municipalities
Taxicabs
Municipalities must consult with their accessibility advisory committee, if one has been established, the public, and people with disabilities to determine the proportion of on-demand accessible taxicabs required in the community.
Municipalities that license taxicabs must ensure that owners and operators of taxicabs meet specific requirements, which include:
- Not charging higher fares or additional fees to a person with a disability.
- Placing vehicle registration and identification information on the rear bumper.
- Making available vehicle registration and identification information to people with disabilities in an accessible format, for example, by keeping a large print and braille copy of the information on hand.
Bus Stops and Shelters
Municipalities that offer conventional transportation services must consult on, and plan for, accessible bus stops and shelters in their community.
To determine what is needed to make bus stops and shelters more accessible, municipalities must consult with:
- Their accessibility advisory committee, if one has been established
- The public, and
- People with disabilities
Any planning or steps to meet the goal of accessible bus stops and shelters must be included in the municipality’s accessibility plan.