Closing the Accessibility Gap

Accessible transportation in Canada has come a long way over the years. Now it’s moving into its most exciting and rewarding phase -- implementation.

The goal of Transport Canada’s Accessible Transportation Program (ATP) is to close the accessibility gap and make every metre of every trip convenient, dignified and barrier-free for travellers with disabilities.

And it’s working. Transport Canada’s activities include supporting the purchase of accessibility equipment and devices for intercity bus companies, ground transportation at airports, rental vehicles, small aircraft boarding devices, and vans and minibuses for small communities (under 10,000 people). Transport Canada is also working with the transportation industry to improve awareness training for service providers.

Air Transport Takes Off

Major improvements have been made in making air transportation accessible. Small aircraft boarding systems and transfer chairs are making it easier for people with disabilities to board and leave aircraft, even at small airports.

Currently, there are 18 boarding devices and 32 transfer chairs in operation at more than 30 airports across Canada, making it possible for people with disabilities to board aircraft easily, safely and with dignity. For a complete list of boarding devices and transfer chairs available at Canadian airports, see "Transport Canada’s Participation" in this issue.

Getting There In Comfort

It’s now easier to get to and from the airport as well. Transport Canada has approved contributions for 64 taxis and limousines and 19 airport shuttle buses at more than 20 airports across the country.

Passengers with disabilities can also get to and from Pearson and other airports by renting an accessible vehicle or one equipped with hand controls. All together, more than 300 portable hand-control systems are in service at agencies such as Thrifty Canada Ltd., Budget Rent-a-Car and Hertz Canada in airports across Canada, as well as 23 accessible vehicles at 36 airports.

Hollis Renton, City Manager of Hertz Car and Truck Rentals for Ottawa and Hull, says that Hertz decided to "embark on the road to accessibility" after examining the issue and realizing that seniors and persons with disabilities find it "extremely difficult to find accessible transportation." Mr. Renton says the move has been beneficial in two ways: many people requiring accessible transportation are travelling with dignity and independence, and Hertz has tapped a marketing opportunity that has been "very good for business."

Accessibility At Pearson

Every year, 21 million people -- many of them with disabilities -- pass through Pearson International Airport. This airport is an outstanding example of improved accessibility.

Pearson now has an accessible shuttle bus service. Operated by Pacific Western Transportation Ltd., twelve 40-foot motor coaches made by MCI and equipped with Stuart Stevenson lifts run every 20 minutes from the airport to major downtown hotels.

"We’ve been operating the service for six months, from June 1 to December 31, and we’re pleasantly surprised at the number of people with disabilities using it," says Pacific Western’s Mark Hannah. He says the company’s research and consultation with advocacy groups convinced it that only a fully integrated accessible service made sense. "That’s what customers want, and that’s what makes economic sense," he says. He credits Pacific Western’s extensive training program, developed with help from consumer advocacy groups, with much of the success.

In addition, three accessible airport limousines and several accessible taxis now run to and from Pearson. Added to that are accessible shuttle buses taking passengers from one terminal to another, and accessible lifts for safe and comfortable aircraft boarding. All this makes Pearson one of North America’s most accessible airports.

Governments Working Together

Governments are working together to improve accessibility. Transport Canada recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the province of New Brunswick to set aside money for 11 projects in the province. These include a new, accessible intercity bus; portable hand controls for airport rental vehicles; driver training; and vehicle retrofitting. Implementation has already begun with the acquisition of an aircraft boarding device at the Miramichi Airport; an accessible vehicle operated by the Miramichi Senior Citizens Home in Chatham; and an accessible intercity bus run by SMT Bus Lines.

Good Business

Canadian industry is finding that meeting the needs of travellers with disabilities is good for business. A recent study found that ATP contributions were critical to the development of 10 North American companies producing accessibility products, including vehicle conversions, accessible mini-buses, accessible aircraft boarding systems, visual communication networks and accessible motor coaches. Sales generated by this equipment were around $60 million, creating 1,100 jobs.

Ray Dries, president of Overland Custom Coach Inc. in Thorndale, Ontario, says that entering the accessible transportation market "has meant millions of dollars in increased sales, provided new equipment for consumers and created new jobs for our industry." Overland developed the ELF (Economical Low Floor) bus with financial assistance from Transport Canada under the Technology Transfer Program.

Transport Canada has invested in the development of new technology and helped move it to the marketplace. By patronizing firms that offer accessible transportation services, travellers with disabilities can show industry that meeting their needs is good for business.

For more information, please contact: Accessible Transportation Policy & Programs Branch, Transport Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0N5; or phone: 1-800-665-6478; or fax: (613) 991-6422.

TRANSPORT CANADA’S PARTICIPATION UNDER THE NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR THE INTEGRATION OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

As part of the National Strategy, Transport Canada is providing $24.6 million to the development and use of equipment that will make Canada’s transportation system more accessible. The following companies have received funds towards the purchase of accessible equipment or vehicles.

ACCESSIBLE AIRPORT LIMOUSINES

Aarport Limousine Serv. Ltd.

Toronto, Ontario

(416) 745-1555

Associated Limousine Ltd.

Edmonton, Alberta

(403) 435-0827

McDonnell Ronald Limousine

Rexdale, Ontario

1-800-263-5466 (in Ontario)

McIntosh Limousine Services

Toronto, Ontario

(416) 741-5466

ACCESSIBLE AIRPORT PARKING SHUTTLE

Park n’ Fly

- Toronto, Ontario

- Vancouver, B.C.

- Calgary, Alberta

Park n’ Jet

Calgary, Alberta

ACCESSIBLE TAXIS SERVING AIRPORTS

Al’s Taxi

Huronia, Ontario

(705) 527-7000

Baycity Taxi

North Bay, Ontario

(705) 497-7777

Beal Taxi

Timmins, Ontario

(705) 235-3392

Belleville Taxi

Belleville, Ontario

(613) 968-3997

Blueline Premium Taxi Co.

Winnipeg, Manitoba

(204) 775-8778

Bramcab Inc.

Brampton, Ontario

(416) 793-3333

Burlington Taxi

Burlington, Ontario

(416) 333-8111

Capital Taxi

Peterborough, Ontario

(705) 743-3591

Checker Cab

Sault-Ste-Marie, Ontario

(705) 942-3600

Co-op Taxi Ltd.

Kirkland Lake, Ontario

(705) 567-5363

Crown Line Taxi Ltd.

Victoria, B.C.

(604) 360-8490

Greenland Enterprises Inc.

Millgrove, Ontario

(416) 628-1760

Guelph Accessible Taxi

Guelph, Ontario

(519) 822-1299

Integrated Taxi Services

Ottawa, Ontario

(613) 797-5992

Jack’s Taxi

Kingston, Ontario

(613) 384-7000

Luxury Transit

Windsor, Ontario

(519) 979-2133

Mike Joyce Transportation

London, Ontario

(519) 432-2222

Northern Trans Service Lockerby Taxi

Sudbury, Ontario

(705) 522-2226

Oikonen’s Taxi

Thunder Bay, Ontario

(807) 345-7721

Rapid Taxi

Pickering, Ontario

(905) 831-2345

Royal Taxi

Toronto, Ontario

(416) 777-9222

Spring Taxi

Winnipeg, Manitoba

(204) 783-0538

Unicity Taxi Ltd.

Winnipeg, Manitoba

(204) 925-3030

United Cabs Ltd.

Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

(306) 668-2201

Veterans Taxi

- Hamilton, Ontario

- Pearson Airport

(416) 528-8387

ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION IN SMALL URBAN AND RURAL COMMUNITIES

Some of these organizations provide only limited services. Please call them for more

information.

Accessible Taxi

Smith Falls, Ontario

(613) 283-5555

ADAPT

Newmarket, Ontario

(905) 853-6294

B.C. Seniors Association

Houston, B.C.

(604) 845-2132

B.C. Transit

- Cowichan Valley, B.C.

- Kelowna, B.C.

(604) 385-2551

Belle River Comm. Council

Belle River, Ontario

(519) 728-1435

Dan’s Cab

Picton, Ontario

(613) 476-4622

Galahad Health Care Centre

Galahad, Alberta

(403) 583-3788

Jordan Memorial Home

Riverglade, New Brunswick

(506) 756-3355

Killam Gen. & Aux. Hospitals

Killam, Alberta

(403) 385-3741

Kindale Developmental Association

Armstrong, B.C.

(604) 546-3005

Lacombe Handivan Association

Lacombe, Alberta

(403) 782-6637

Le Club Kinsmen de Cheticamp

Cheticamp, Nova Scotia

(902) 224-2087

Le Phare des Services Communautaires

Sainte-Marie-de-Kent, N.B.

(506) 955-3194

Lunenburg Home for Spec. Care Lunenburg, Nova Scotia

(902) 634-8836

Miramichi Senior Citizens Home

Chatham, New Brunswick

(506) 773-5801

Nelson Home Support Services

Nelson, B.C.

(604) 352-2911

North of Smokey Bus Service

Ingonish Beach, Nova Scotia

(902) 285-2114

Rimbey Gen. & Aux. Hospital

Rimbey, Alberta

(403) 843-2271

Senior C.A.R.E. Van Society

Antigonish, Nova Scotia

(902) 863-2578

Senior Wheels Association

Bridgewater, Nova Scotia

(902) 543-4342

South Shore Community Services

Chester, Nova Scotia

(902) 275-5622

St. Anthony Interfaith Home

St. Anthony, Newfoundland

(709) 454-3506

Tiger Hills Health District

Treherne, Manitoba

(204) 723-2133

Town of Rosthern

Rosthern, Saskatchewan

(306) 232-4826

Trafford Accessible Taxi

Carleton Place, Ontario

(613) 257-TAXI

Transport en Commun Coté Quebec

1-800-463-2465

(418) 786-5610

T.R.E.S. ENR

Rimouski, Quebec

(418) 725-4014

Vermilion Bay Social Planning Council of Ontario

(807) 227-2119

Vet’s Taxi

Cochrane, Ontario

(705) 272-5252

Victorian County Community Care

Lindsay, Ontario

1-800-461-0327

Victorian Order of Nurses

Corner Brook, Newfoundland

(709) 634-2042

Villa St-Martin

Malartic, Quebec

(819) 757-3663

Villa St.-Pascal Inc.

St-Pascal, Quebec

(418) 492-2342

AIRPORT SHUTTLE BUS

Connaisseur Bus Lines

Montreal, Quebec

(514) 934-1222

Shuttle service between Dorval and Mirabel and downtown Montreal. Coaches available for charters in Canada and the United States. Advance booking required.

Pacific Western

Toronto, Ontario

Airport Express, departure every 20 minutes from Pearson to major downtown hotels.

Penetang-Midland Coach Lines

Toronto, Ontario

Shuttle service every 15 min-utes between Pearson Airport Terminals 1, 2 and 3; seven days a week, 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.; no advance booking required.

INTERCITY BUS

Acadian Bus Lines, Nova Scotia

(902) 468-1288

Advance booking required.

CAN-AR Coach Services

Downsview, Ontario

(905) 738-2290

Accessible coach available for charters in Canada and the United States. Advance booking required.

Greyhound

- Calgary Alberta

(403) 265-9111

- Red Deer, Alberta

1-800-661-8747

- Edmonton, Alberta

(403) 421-4211

North Shore Bus Lines

St. John’s, Newfoundland

(709) 586-2837

SMT Bus Lines, N.B.

(506) 648-5507

Advance booking required.

Trentway-Wager Inc.

Peterborough, Ontario

1-800-461-7661

Canada and USA, 24-hour dispatch. Intercity wheelchair-accessible highway coach service; Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Hamilton, Cambridge, Kitchener, Waterloo, Ontario. Please call for reservations 24 hours in advance. Wheelchair-accessible highway coaches available for charters.

SMALL AIRCRAFT BOARDING SYSTEMS & TRANSFER CHAIRS

Air Atlantic

- St. John’s, Newfoundland

- Dorval, Quebec

- Saint John, New Brunswick

- Charlottetown, P.E.I.

Air BC

- Victoria, B.C.

- Vancouver, B.C.

- Kelowna, B.C.

Air Canada (with Air Alliance, Air Nova, Air Ontario)

- Ottawa, Ontario

- Montreal (Dorval), Quebec

- Toronto (Pearson), Ontario

- Winnipeg, Manitoba

- Calgary, Alberta

- Vancouver, B.C.

Air Nova Inc.

- Halifax, Nova Scotia

- Sydney, Nova Scotia

- Charlottetown, Nova Scotia

- Deer Lake, Newfoundland

Department of Highways and Transportation

Winnipeg, Manitoba

Transfer chairs available at 22 locations across Northern Manitoba.

Edmonton Regional Airport Authority

Edmonton, Alberta

Miramichi Airport Commission

Chatham, New Brunswick

NorOntario

Kapuskasing, Ontario

Northwestern Air Lease Ltd.

Fort Smith, N.W.T.

Time Air

- Toronto, Ontario

- Victoria, B.C.

- Vancouver, B.C.

- Nanaimo, B.C.

ACCESSIBLE RENTAL CARS & VANS

Hertz Car & Truck Rental

Ottawa, Ontario

(613) 521-3332

Mel Murdoch Ltd.

- Sudbury, Ontario

- Timmins, Ontario

- North Bay, Ontario

1-800-461-4993

Thrifty

At major airports

1-800-367-2277

VEHICLES WITH HAND CONTROLS

Avis Car Rental Inc.

Thunder Bay, Ontario

1-800-879-2847

Budget Rent-A-Car

At major airports

1-800-268-8900 (Eng.)

1-800-268-8970 (Fr.)

Discount

At major airports

1-800-263-2355

Hertz Car & Truck Rental

At major airports

1-800-263-0600

Thrifty

At major airports

1-800-367-2277

Tilden

- Vancouver International Airport

- Halifax International Airport

1-800-987-4747