Wheel-Trans is a paratransit system in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, provided by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). It provides specialized door-to-door accessible transit services for persons with physical disabilities using its fleet of accessible minibuses or contracted accessible taxis. Users must register with the TTC who will typically grant access to those with permanent disabilities or show difficulty in traveling short distances. Wheel-Trans only provides service within the city of Toronto and accepts regular TTC fare.
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| Parent | Toronto Transit Commission |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1975 |
| Headquarters | Lakeshore Bus Garage |
| Service area | Toronto (city proper), Toronto Pearson International Airport |
| Service type | Door-to-door paratransit |
| Website | Wheel-Trans |
This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2023) |
History
editWheel-Trans was born out of an initiative by the Trans-Action Coalition, a group led by Beryl Potter lobbying for transit accessibility in Toronto.[1] The paratransit system was officially created in 1975 as a two-year pilot project contracted to Wheelchair Mobile and operated on behalf of Metropolitan Toronto and the province of Ontario until 1976.[2] Only individuals using wheelchairs were accepted as the original 46 users of the pilot project, and rode at no cost. In 1977 the service was contracted to All-Way Transportation Corporation of Toronto before being taken over by the TTC in 1985.
Operations
editService provision
editService is provided by accessible buses and contracted accessible taxi mini-vans. Wheel-Trans is a door-to-door service. Rides can be reserved up to one week in advance by calling the reservation line, by using the automated Ride-Line touch-tone phone service or by using the recently launched Wheel-Trans Online Trip Booking website.
Fleet
editWheel-Trans buses operates as part of the main TTC fleet but do not include wheelchair assessable buses from the regular fleet.
Contracts
editMost of Wheel-Trans operations are provided by the TTC, but some of the services are contracted out to private operators.
Able Atlantic Taxi
edit| Make/model | Description | # passengers | Year acquired | Year retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrysler Caravan | Converted van | 2 | 
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Bee Line Taxi
editThis section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (January 2011) |
Beck Taxi
edit| Make/model | Description | # passengers | Year acquired | Year retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Uplander | Converted van | 4 | 1998 | June, 2011 |
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| Chevrolet Venture | Converted van | 4 | 1998 | June, 2011 |
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| Dodge Grand Caravan | Converted Van | 4 | 1997 | TTL Vehicle
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| Toyota Sienna | Converted Van | 4 | 2005 | TTL Vehicle
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| Ford Transit Connect | Modified Vehicle | 5 (Includes Wheelchair) | 2015 | TTL Vehicle
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| Plymouth Voyager | Converted Van | 5 | 1996 | November, 2002 |
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| Toyota Camry | Sedan | 4 | 2007 | Non-wheelchair accessible (Canes and walkers) | |
| MV-1 (Mobility-Vehicle 1) | Minivan | 2 (Wheelchairs) | 2013 | TTL Vehicle or used as a Wheel-Trans contracted vehicle.
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| Toyota Corolla | Sedan | 4 | 2015 | Non-wheelchair accessible (Canes and walkers) | |
| Ford Crown Victoria | Sedan | 4 | 1994 | 2008 | Limited fleet. Cab drivers may not acquire this vehicle for service - Non-wheelchair accessible (Canes and walkers) |
Royal Taxi
edit| Make/model | Description | # passengers | Year acquired | Year retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Grand Caravan Sport | Converted van | 2 | Used as TTL vehicle or for Wheel-Trans contracted taxicabs. |
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| Pontiac Montana | Converted van | 2 | Retired - Toronto Municipal Licensing and Standards no longer allow this vehicle in service, as it does not meet requirements to operate as a taxicab. |
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| Chevrolet Venture | Converted van | 2 | All vehicles in fleet retired as of April 8, 2009. This vehicle may not enter service as it does not meet requirements to operate as a taxicab. |
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| Ford Crown Victoria | Sedan | 4 | 1996 | 2008 | Toronto Municipal Licensing and Standards no longer allow this vehicle in service, as it does not meet requirements to operate as a taxicab. - Non-wheelchair accessible.
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Scarboro City Cab
edit| Make/model | Description | # passengers | Year acquired | Year retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Grand Caravan Sport | Converted van | 2 |
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Toronto Para Transit
edit| Make/model | Description | # passengers | Year acquired | Year retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Venture-Kino Maxi Shuttle | Converted van | 2 |
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| Chrysler Caravan | Converted van | 2 |
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Wheelchair Taxi
edit| Make/model | Description | # passengers | Year acquired | Year retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford E350 minibus | Converted van | ~3 |
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| Chrysler Caravan | Converted van | 2 |
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| Chrysler Sprinter van | Converted van | 2 |
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| Ford Transit Connect | Converted van | 4 | 2014 |
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Assessibility outside of Wheel-Trans
editAs for 2017, all 1,869 buses are low floor to allow for easy accessible by mobility devices. While all subway trains are accessible, only 35 of the 69 stations have elevators. The SRT cars are not accessible. On the Toronto streetcar network, the Flexity Outlook streetcars are fully accessible. However, not all stops are easily accessible for customers in wheelchairs, particularly in winter.
See also
edit- Mississauga Transit Accessible Services - regular routes with accessible buses
- Transhelp - Peel Region from a variety of providers including Caledon Community Services Transportation
- York Region Transit Mobility Plus
References
edit- ^ Hey, Kevin; Sheldrake, John, eds. (2019) [1997]. Urban Transport: A Century of Progress?. Taylor and Francis. ISBN 9780429685538 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Wheel-Trans called a 'mess' since the TTC took over: [FIN Edition]". Toronto Star. 1989-01-16. p. A6. ISSN 0319-0781.
External links
edit