On July 1, 2011 the Transportation Standard will come into effect for public transportation providers.

Transit providers include:

• the Ontario government
• municipalities, and
• Transportation Commissions or Authorities.

It also applies to some other organizations that provide transportation services such as hospitals, taxis, public school boards, colleges and universities. The Accessibility Standard for Transportation will make public transportation services more accessible.

Changes include:

• verbal announcements to notify route, direction, destination and major stops
• not charging people with disabilities a higher fare or a fee to store their wheelchairs, canes and walkers etc.
• repairing accessibility equipment as soon as possible and accommodating people with disabilities until the equipment is fixed.

Requirements will be phased in between July 2011 and 2017.