Changes to Mobility Plus Cross-Boundary Trips
Spring 2018
In 2005, the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) became law; as of January 1, 2017, the AODA, under section 63, required all specialized transportation service providers in Ontario broaden their eligibility and ensure equal access to services for all persons with disabilities. This requires specialized transportation service providers to facilitate connections between their respective services, which has now been achieved across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA).
YRT's 2018 Transit Initiatives were endorsed by York Regional Council in September 2017. Included is a service change to cross-boundary travel into the City of Toronto. This change aligns YRT practices with other GTHA transit agencies, and results in all Mobility Plus customers needing to transfer at Steeles Avenue with TTC Wheel-Trans for all cross-boundary trips.
As the changes come into effect, transfers between Mobility Plus and Wheel-Trans will take place at one of four dedicated transfer locations on the Toronto and York Region border, or at a TTC Line 1 Subway station in York Region.
In addition to the AODA requirements, this change allows YRT to better serve its increasing Mobility Plus ridership by making more vehicles available for same-day, spontaneous travel, within the York Region borders. It also provides equal access to service for all persons with disabilities who use Mobility Plus.
Transfer Locations
- Centerpoint Mall - Yonge Street and Steeles Avenue
- Shops on Steeles - Steeles Avenue and Don Mills Road
- Tim Hortons - Steeles Avenue and Highway 400
- Tim Hortons/Wendy's - Steeles Avenue and Midland Avenue*
*Effective September 1, 2018, the Tim Hortons/Wendy's at 4228 Midland Ave. will not be used as a transfer point. The new cross boundary transfer location will be at the Tim Hortons at 5641 Steeles Ave. E.
Passengers will also be able to transfer at one of the new subway stations in York Region:
- Pioneer Village Terminal
- Highway 407 Terminal
- Vaughan Metropolitan Centre Station
All transfer locations have been reviewed by the participating transit agencies, and considers the safety and security, and accessible features of the location. The criteria was created by the GHTA Specialized Working Group and is part of the Memorandum of Understanding.
Frequently Asked Questions
| How long will I have to wait at the transfer location? |
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Wheel-Trans and Mobility Plus are working towards a 30 minute transfer window. Mobility Plus recommends travellers call as early as seven days in advance to book both trips. This will allow a seamless connection between Wheel-Trans and Mobility Plus. Customers can call the Contact Centre if they arrive early for their return trip, and staff will try to provide an earlier trip. Staff from YRT and the TTC will work together to ensure travellers are transferred in a timely manner and provided safe transit in all weather conditions. |
| Will I be required to pay two fares? |
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Fares for both Mobility Plus and Wheel-Trans will be required when boarding each service. If you have been identified by Mobility Plus as requiring an attendant or support person when travelling, they will not be required to pay either fare, if you are travelling with a Support Person Card. |
| Does this mean I will need to call both Mobility Plus and Wheel-Trans to schedule two trips? |
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No. Mobility Plus will coordinate with Wheel-Trans and book your entire trip from your starting location in York Region, to your destination in Toronto, as well as the return trip. Mobility Plus recommends passengers call as early as seven days in advance to book both trips. This will allow a seamless connection between Wheel-Trans and Mobility Plus. Both agencies will work together to ensure safe transit in all weather conditions. |
| I'm not a Wheel-Trans registrant. Do I have to undergo another application process? |
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No. All specialized transit agencies in the GTHA, which includes TTC Wheel-Trans, have agreed to accept any neighbouring passenger with no interview or assessment. |
| I don't feel comfortable having to transfer to another vehicle. What options are available for me? |
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If requested, Mobility Plus staff will travel train passengers on their first cross-boundary trip, to ensure they are comfortable transferring to another vehicle. Both Mobility Plus and Wheel-Trans drivers are knowledgeable and trained to assist passengers with disabilities. |
| Do the changes meet the requirements of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act? |
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Yes. The Province's Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) became law in 2005. The Act applies to all levels of government, non-profits and private sector businesses in Ontario. Deadlines for compliance began as of January 1, 2010, and by January 1, 2013, specialized transportation service providers were required to facilitate connections between their respective services. As well, accessible stops and drop-off locations between transit agencies were to be determined. As of January 1, 2017, the AODA, under section 63, required that all specialized transportation service providers in Ontario broaden their eligibility. In 2017, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the GTHA transit agencies, which simplify cross-boundary travel for persons with disabilities. The transit agencies harmonized policies and practices, and now accept each other's travellers with no additional interview or assessment. |
| What are the next steps? |
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All customers affected by the change have been or will be contacted by telephone from a representative to explain the change in more detail and next steps. As staff work with Wheel-Trans to implement this change, the following options will be available to affected clients:
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If you have any further questions, please call Mobility Plus Customer Service at 1-866-744-1119 ext. 75653.