Transport Canada

Making Canada’s transportation system accessible is everyone’s job. Now, transport operators and community groups across Canada can get help in creating transportation that is comfortable and convenient for travellers with disabilities.

Currently, 4.2 million Canadians report some degree of disability. That’s an increase from 13.3 per cent to 15.5 per cent of the total population over the last five years. The question of accessible transportation for the increasing number of persons with disabilities can no longer be ignored.

As part of the federal government’s five-year National Strategy for the Integration of Persons with Disabilities, Transport Canada is contributing $24.6 million to help improve accessibility for travellers. The department’s goal is to ensure that people with disabilities can travel in Canada without encountering barriers of any kind.

Among Transport Canada’s many priorities is making intercity buses more accessible. In fact, at the Minister’s request, the National Transportation Agency recently held an inquiry into intercity bus transportation across Canada. This inquiry is expected to provide recommendations and aid in formulating policies for intercity bus systems in Canada.

Transport Canada has earmarked $3.5 million to help Canadian Bus Operators retrofit or purchase new, accessible coaches. In order to receive funding from the Department, a bus company that qualifies for a contribution must make an application for funding. One approved, Transport Canada will provide up to 75 per cent of the incremental cost of accessible features, to a maximum of $50,000 per vehicle per company.

With joint efforts from Canadian coach operators, Transport Canada and provincial governments, the door to accessible intercity bus transportation will begin to open to all canadians.

For example, Canada Coach Lines is just concluding a three-year demonstration of integrated, accessible intercity bus service in the Hamilton-St. Catharines-Niagara Falls corridor. The company found that the number of passengers with disabilities using its service increased significantly on route serviced by accessible buses. In fact, more than three-fifths of the company’s passengers who use wheelchairs made more frequent trips.

The six buses used in the project were built by Motor Coach Industries (MCI) of Winnipeg. Accessible features of the bus include an internal lift, two wheelchair tie-down stations and aids for passengers with sensory impairments.

Greyhound Lines of Canada is starting a demonstration project using MCI’s newest prototype, a 45-foot intercity accessible bus equipped with both an accessible washroom and an on-board wheelchair lift. This model can also accommodate two persons who wish to remain in wheelchairs.

In New Brunswick, MCI’s production model 45-foot accessible bus will soon be in regular service. This is thanks to financial assistance from both the federal government and the province of New Brunswick. SMT (Eastern) Limited of New Brunswick will operate the bus and will improve accessibility at bus terminals across the province. The company has already placed the order with MCI, and the bus is expected to be delivered by March 1993.

Other provinces, including Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Quebec and Alberta are beginning to show interest in making transportation accessible. More specifically, Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation announced its intention to include accessible intercity buses in future purchases. The Province of Quebec has agreed to provide up to 25 per cent of funding for the incremental cost of accessibility improvements to intercity buses. This contribution, along with up to 75 per cent funding from Transport Canada, means that intercity bus operators will not have to share the cost of improvements.

These are just some examples of how federal and provincial governments and industry are working together to make intercity bus transportation accessible to seniors and persons with disabilities. Transport Canada, through the National Strategy, also provides financial assistance for the improvement of other modes of transportation, including small aircraft boarding systems, accessible rental vehicles at airports, airport ground transportation, and accessible vehicles in small communities.

Accessible transportation is the key to independent living and full economic participation for Canadians with disabilities. Transport Canada is moving ahead and making our Policy Statement, "Accessible transportation is a right, not a privilege", a reality.

We are making progress, but much remains to be done. Find out how you can help open the door to accessible transportation by calling Transport Canada at 1 800 885 6478 or writing to:
Transport Canada, Transportation of Disabled Persons Branch, Place de Ville, Tower "C", Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5.

(photo caption: The new state-of-the-art accessible intercity bus shown below is one of the first of its kind in the world. It features a self-contained hydraulic wheelchair lift, space for four wheelchair positions, and an accessible lavatory. Passengers will enjoy improved seating, air conditioning, ventilation and a better suspension system. This prototype was produced under a jointly-funded research and development project undertaken by Motor Coach Industries and Transport Canada, at a cost of approximately $3 million, of which $960,000 was funded by Canadian federal government grants.)