Why was this proposed accessible transportation standard created?
This standard was created by a committee under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. The goal of this proposed standard is to remove barriers to public transportation, so people with disabilities can travel more easily in Ontario. The proposed standard outlines ways that buses, trains, taxis, subways, streetcars and ferries can be accessible to travelers with disabilities.
Through the act, Ontario is making the province accessible to people with disabilities by 2025. Ontario’s first accessibility standard – for customer service – is now law. Committees are developing other standards for information and communications, employment and the built environment.
How did this standard get created?
This final proposed accessible transportation standard was created by a standards development committee. The committee includes representatives from the transportation, school board, municipality and disability communities.
In June 2007, the first draft of the committee’s proposed standard was released for public review. The committee revised the standard to incorporate public input and submitted this final proposed standard for the government to consider.
Is this accessible transportation standard now law?
No. The standard development committee submitted this proposed accessible transportation standard for the government to consider.
What is in the final proposed accessible transportation standard?
The committee proposes that public transportation providers increase accessibility for people with disabilities by following requirements such as:
- Making sure that public transit vehicles have accessibility features, such as low-floor access for wheelchairs and mobility devices, visual and verbal announcements, and lighting
- Improving specialized transit systems so people with disabilities have access to the same fares and hours of service as conventional transit
- Offering people with disabilities assistance as they get on and off public transit vehicles.
Who would have to comply with the committee’s proposed accessible transportation standard if it were to become law?
If passed as law, provincial and municipal public transportation providers in Ontario would have to comply with the standard, including:
- Conventional transit, such as buses and subways
- Specialized transit, such a Wheel-Trans
- Taxis
- Go Transit and Ontario Northland buses and trains
- School, ferry, streetcar and ferry transit.
When would the committee’s proposed standard come into effect?
The committee proposes that public transportation providers comply with a range of requirements that would be staggered from the date the standard becomes law. The government will decide what will become law and when.