Durham Region Transit (DRT) Specialized Services provides public transit service for eligible persons with disabilities who are unable to use conventional transit services for all or part of their ride. Public transit services delivered through Specialized Services comply with the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and are consistent with industry best practices. The Integrated Accessibility Standard (Ont Reg. 191/11) and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) specifies three categories of eligibility for specialized services:
- Unconditional: A person with a disability that prevents him/her from using scheduled transportation services.
- Temporary: A person with a temporary disability that prevents him/her from using scheduled transportation services.
- Conditional: A person with a disability where environmental or physical barriers limit his/her ability to consistently use scheduled transportation services.
Eligibility is NOT based on:
- a particular disability
- income level
- age
- lack of public transit in an applicant’s area
- solely the recommendation of a health care provider
- reluctance or unwillingness to use regular public transit
Support Person Cards are available for any DRT customer whose abilities may require the support of another person for communication, mobility, personal care or medical needs. While an age-appropriate fare payment is required by the customer, the support person travels for free when a Support Person Card is presented to the driver.
DRT Support Person Cards are accepted by transit agencies throughout the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) and DRT accepts Support Person Cards from GTHA agencies.
To obtain a DRT Support Person Card, complete and submit the Support Person Assistance Card Application. The cards are valid for three years.