Transit commission expands Para Transpo eligibility
Posted Jun 28, 2016 06:15:51 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA — Para Transpo service will be made available to more people than only those with physical disabilities, after a vote at Monday’s transit commission meeting.
A report by city staff recommended allowing people with mental health and developmental disorders, whose conditions make it difficult or impossible for them to use regular transit, to use Para Transpo.
It’s not known how many more people will use Para Transpo as a result, but transit officials are confident the increased ridership can be accommodated.
Staff say any increased demand for Para Transpo service will be partially offset by higher-capacity Para Transpo minibuses and a new contract with taxis.
Para Transpo provides 80,000 trips per year to about 13,000 customers. But it also has around 25,000 no-shows and 100,000 late cancellations per year.
The city is trying to cut down on the number of abuses, such people not paying or cancelling late, by changing cancellation deadlines to three hours, instead of the night before.
Para Transpo is also testing a new online pay system, called Para Pay, that OC Transpo General Manager John Manconi says will be rolled out when the bugs are worked out.
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