Priority and Courtesy Seating

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Show you care--offer your seat to someone who needs it more than you

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) requires businesses and organizations to provide accessible services to people with disabilities. The goal is for Ontario to be fully accessible by 2025.

The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR, 191-11), is a standard developed under the AODA which includes 80 accessibility standards relating to transportation, employment, and information and communications. Compliance dates set out in the IASR range from July 2011 through January 2021.

In compliance with Section 49 of Regulation 191-11, Ontario's public transit authorities now provide Priority seating designated for use by passengers with disabilities.

Transit authorities recognize there are other customers who would also benefit from having a seat near the front of the bus. A Courtesy seating area has been designated for seniors, expectant mothers, adults travelling with infants/small children or any other customer who may benefit from a seat near the front of the bus.

Priority Seating

Priority seating is for the use of passengers with a disability, and is the designated securement location for persons using a wheelchair or other mobility device. These seats are typically located near the front or ramped entrance of the vehicle.

Customers who do not have a disability are expected to respect the intended purpose of Priority seating, which means they shall vacate the seat for a person with a disability or at the request of the bus operator.

Use of Priority seating is on a first come-first served basis.

A person with a disability occupying a Priority seat is NOT required to move for another customer with a disability.

Bus operators will provide assistance by asking customers sitting in the Priority seating to move to another seat. In the event the customer occupying the seat chooses not to move, the bus operator will NOT enforce the requirement. To accommodate a person using a wheelchair or other mobility device, bus operators will ask the person(s) occupying the seat to move to another seat near the front of the vehicle.

Courtesy Seating

Courtesy seating is intended to provide additional seating for passengers who would benefit from having a seat near the front or door of the vehicle, including but not limited to seniors, expectant mothers or others.

Use of Courtesy seating is on a first come-first served basis.

A person occupying a Courtesy seat that has a disability and/or meets the intended purpose of Courtesy seating is NOT required to move for another customer.

Bus operators will provide assistance by asking customers sitting in the Courtesy seating to move to another seat. In the event the customer occupying the seat chooses not to move, the bus operator will NOT enforce the requirement.

Bus operators will NOT intervene in any dispute related to Priority and Courtesy seating. We ask, however, that customers respect this designated seating area and show consideration for those whose need is greater than their own.

In the event a customer cannot be accommodated, the bus operator will contact their Control Centre and identify when the next available bus which can accommodate will arrive.

Given the vast number and varying degree of disabilities, some of which are invisible, it would be extremely difficult for a third party to determine who is more entitled to the Priority and Courtesy seating area. As such, we expect customers to do the right thing.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why are there both Priority seating and Courtesy seating areas on a bus?

The Priority seating area is a regulatory requirement under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. The Courtesy seating area is provided in addition to the Priority seating area for passengers who may benefit from a seat, but do not have a disability.

2. I am a passenger with a disability. What do I do if the Priority seating area is full when I board the bus?

Politely remind the customers seated in the Priority seating area of its intended use and ask that they make room for you.

3. What do I do if the passengers seated in the Priority seating area refuse to move for me?

Please remember that passengers in the Priority seating area may suffer from a disability that is not easily recognized by others and they may not be comfortable discussing it in public. If the passengers in the Priority seating area do not move when requested, proceed to the Courtesy seating area to find a seat.

4. The Priority seating decal states that other passengers MUST vacate for a passenger with a disability. If someone refuses to move for a passenger with a disability, who will make them obey the sign?

The wording on the decal is a legal requirement under Regulation 191-11, but the Regulation does not provide any reference to enforcement.

Given the vast number and varying degree of disabilities, many of which are invisible, it would be extremely difficult for a third party to determine who is more entitled to the Priority seating area. As such, we expect customers to do the right thing.

5. Can I ask the operator to force passengers to vacate a seat for me?

Drivers/operators will not intervene in a dispute between passengers regarding a seat.

6. I am a person with a disability. When I board a bus that is full and people are both seated and standing in the Priority seating area, do other passengers need to vacate the bus to make room for me in the Priority seating area?

No. Public transit is first-come, first-served. Other passengers who have paid a fare are not expected to vacate the bus to make room for other passengers.

If you are not comfortable completing your trip without a seat, please wait for the next bus.

7. Can I use the Priority seating if I have a child in a stroller?

The priority seating area is for the use of passengers with a disability, and is the designated securement location for persons using a mobility device. You may use the Priority seating if it is not occupied, but must vacate the seat for a passenger with a disability or mobility device.

Alternatively, you may use the seating area near the rear doors. Please note that the stroller must be folded if it will interfere with standing passengers or the safe movement of passengers.