Accessibility

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We all need accessibility

People with disabilities represent a major and growing part of our population. Disabilities affect key areas of daily living. About 1.8 million or 15.5 per cent of Ontarians have a disability. In Oakville, that equates to over 27,000 residents. By 2026, as the population ages, it is estimated that 16 per cent of people in Canada will have a disability.

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA)

The Accessibility of 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.

Oakville Transit

We have added a number of new technology features on our buses making it easier for everyone to travel:

  • Audio and visual pre-boarding announcements of route number and direction on each bus
  • Onboard audio and visual announcements for next stop information in all buses
  • Large digital signs providing real time bus arrivals at four key locations; Sheridan College, the Uptown Core Terminal and the Oakville and Bronte GO Stations

Open the accessibility interactive map for the current Oakville Transit route map and all accessible bus stop locations.

Oakville Transit provides transportation services for customers with special needs through both the conventional buses and our specialized transit service, called care-A-van.

Next stop: Independance

MagnusCards logo

Oakville Transit is proud to support MagnusCards, a free app for people living with autism. MagnusCards combines structured, step-by-step guidance with game design to help teach a variety of life skills through free downloadable Cards Decks. As part of our support, Oakville Transit has funded unique Card Decks that will help those with autism or other cognitive disabilities feel supported and empowered to use our transit, navigating tasks like riding the bus, paying a fare or using a PRESTO card, planning a trip, transferring buses and how to stay safe on the bus.

Learn more and download the Oakville Transit MagnusCards for free.

Oakville Transit Accessibility Plan 2022

Open the Oakville Transit Accessibility Plan 2022 (pdf, 330 kB)

Accessibility & Oakville Transit

Bus with wheelchair ramp deployed at a bus stop

Bus with wheelchair ramp deployed at a bus stop

Conventional buses

All Oakville Transit conventional buses have the following features:

  • Low floor
  • Preboarding announcements
  • Digital sign and audio announcements for next stop information
  • Can accommodate two wheelchair/scooter customers at the same time
  • Air-conditioned
  • Entrance and ramp lighting
  • Equipped with one wheelchair/scooter entrance ramp with two-inch wheel safety guards, with warning indicator lamp and auditory warning alarm
  • Kneeling feature which allows the bus to be lowered
  • Passenger signal stop request
  • High color contrast grab bars and stanchions
  • Low glare, anti slip floor covering
  • Fluorescent lighting

care-A-van buses

Oakville care-A-van specialized vehicles are designed especially for para-transit service. They are safe, comfortable and accessible, and include the following features:

  • Low floor
  • Equipped with one wheelchair/scooter entrance ramp with two-inch wheel safety guards
  • Oversized entrance doors to allow for larger-size wheelchairs and scooters
  • Can accommodate up to five wheelchair/scooter passengers at the same time
  • Air-conditioned
  • Entrance and ramp lighting
  • Kneeling feature which allows ramps to be lowered
  • Grab bars, handrails and stanchions
  • Anti-slip floor covering
  • Rub rails
  • Fluorescent lighting
  • Fire suppression system

Riding with a support person

A support person can now travel free of charge on Oakville Transit buses when accompanying someone with a disability who has an identified medical requirement for support.

One support person will be allowed per individual per trip, but your support person may vary. All persons with a disability who wish to have a support person travel with them at no charge, must obtain an Oakville Transit Support Person ID Card and present it to the bus driver for each trip that a support person accompanies them.

For more information and to apply, visit the support person ID card page.

Priority and courtesy seating

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.

Visit the priority and courtesy seating page for details.