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Accessibile Transit

DRT’s Accessible Bus Features
Accessible bus features provide passengers who use mobility devices or who find stairs difficult, the opportunity to travel on conventional transit rather than depend on DRT Specialized Services exclusively. Specialized Services provides door-to-door transportation for residents with disabilities. Passengers must meet eligibility criteria to use Specialized Services.

DRT conventional accessible buses are identified by the international symbol of access and ramp and kneel decals near the front doors
• ‘Kneel’ feature lowers the bus to a position level with the curb for easy access
• Extendable access ramps or lifts eliminate stairs
• Two wheelchair/scooter securement areas are located at the front of the bus
Look for the international symbol of access on your DRT System Map and Schedules to identify accessible buses. Please note that while the DRT Bus is fully accessible, the bus stops along the route may not be accessible, particularly in more rural areas.

Accessibility Standard Compliance
DRT Buses are manufactured to ADA specifications to accommodate standard 30" (76cm) wide x 48" (122cm) long mobility devices weighing less than 600 lbs (272.1 kg).  Larger mobility aids, some scooters may be difficult or impossible to board and secure.

Travelling on DRT Accessible Buses
• Passengers must be able to manoeuvre wheelchairs or scooters safely and independently
• Passengers needing assistance to board, pay fares, access the seating area or exit must be accompanied by an attendant
• Mobility devices must be in good operating condition, with working brakes and properly inflated tires
• Seats on accessible buses are lifted to accommodate wheelchairs and/or scooters
• The Operator will ensure the lift-up seats are raised
Operators are not permitted to provide personal assistance or move heavy objects, scooters or wheelchairs.
If you require assistance, please travel with a personal care attendant.

Care Attendant
A personal attendant assists a passenger with disabilities with seating and getting on and off the bus and may secure a mobility aid.

Trained Operators for Your Safety
DRT serves over 8.4 million passengers annually. Operators are concerned about the safety of all passengers at all times are specially trained to provide accessible services. Training includes the safe operation of ramps/lifts and securement of wheelchairs and vacant scooters.
Operators call out all bus stops, major intersections, transfer points and major destinations.

Boarding a ‘Kneeling’ Bus
• Advise the Operator you intend to use the ‘kneeling’ feature
• Stand clear while the ‘kneel’ feature is activated

Boarding a Ramp/Lift Equipped Bus
• All DRT passengers board at the front doors
• Advise the Operator you intend to use the ramp or lift
• Position yourself 4 to 5 feet away from the front door of the bus to allow adequate clearance for the Operator to open the doors, ‘kneel’ the bus and lower the ramp or lift
• Ask your Operator to explain the accessible bus features and how the ramp or lift functions
• Wait until the ramp or lift is fully deployed and you are advised by the Operator to board
• Wheelchair/Scooter passengers board facing forward and move up a ramp or back onto a lift
• Your Operator will proceed in securing the wheelchair or scooter if requested or agreed
Wheelchairs
• Wheelchair passengers, back into the securement  area against the padded back stop
• Lock your brakes
Scooters
• Back your scooter into the securement space, turn the power off
• Apply brake, if available
• Scooter passengers are encouraged to transfer from the scooter to a passenger seat
• Remaining on the scooter is not safe in the event of an emergency stop or turn

Securement Safety
• DRT highly recommends the securement of mobility devices to avoid potential injury
• Operators will suggest and passengers are encouraged to agree to the safe securement of their mobility device

Making your exit
• Press the request stop button located by the handrail in the securement area to signal the Operator
• When the bus is fully stopped, move forward to the front of the bus and proceed to the yellow safety line on the bus floor adjacent to the Operator
• Stay behind the safety line until the ramp is completely lowered by the Operator
• Move onto the ramp or lift facing forward and exit the bus

Fares
Accessible bus fares are the same as DRT’s regular fares. Your Specailized Services montly pass is valid on conventional fixed route DRT Bus and GO Bus service within Durham Region. You will need a ticket, pass or exact cash to travel on DRT, Operators do not sell fares or carry cash.
CNIB
Registered CNIB card holders travel free on conventional DRT and GO Bus in Durham Region, attendants pay the regular fare.  Working Service Dogs (seeing eye, hearing and special assist dogs) are allowed on DRT and GO Buses. 

Rush Hours and Busy Routes
If a bus is full or already carrying two passengers in wheelchairs and/or scooters, the Operator will not be able to pick-up additional passengers with scooters or wheelchairs.  Please consider this possibility when scheduling your trip.
The Operator will stop the bus and inform you both securement areas are occupied and will let you know when the next scheduled bus will arrive.
The Operator will inform the Supervisor of the incident.  The Supervisor will confirm if the next bus is accessible and check availability of Specialized Services.

Accessible designated routes may be added to the system at any time. Visit "Schedules & Route Maps" or call a Customer Service Representative to help plan your trip at 1-866-247-0055
Representatives are available Monday to Friday 7:30am to 16:30pm

Updated June 29, 2009

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