Para Transpo may expand eligibility
Posted Jun 22, 2016 06:17:30 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA — The capital’s transit service for the disabled may soon be available to a lot more people than only those with physical disabilities, if a series of proposed changes are approved.
A report by city staff, being presented to the city’s transit commission, recommends allowing people whose mental health and developmental disorders make it difficult or impossible for them to use regular transit to use Para Transpo.
During public consultations, 72 per cent of respondents to a questionnaire indicated they agreed with including more riders, who have developmental and mental health disabilities, on Para Transpo service.
The city staff report says the changes could be made within existing capacity and budget. Staff say any increased demand from those new riders would be partially offset by higher-capacity Para Transpo minibuses and a new contract with taxis.
The staff report also recommends the city contract healthcare professionals to review all Para Transpo applications, in-person, then, re-assess those customers every three years. The additional costs of this, staff say, could be managed within OC Transpo’s current budget.
The proposals are part of a package that will be tabled at the transit commission’s next meeting, on Monday.
