Wheel-Trans

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.

Wheel-Trans
ParentToronto Transit Commission
Founded1975
HeadquartersLakeshore Bus Garage
Service areaToronto (city proper), Toronto Pearson International Airport
Service typeDoor-to-door paratransit
WebsiteWheel-Trans

History

Wheel-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

Service provision

Service 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
Main article: Toronto Transit Commission bus system

Wheel-Trans buses operates as part of the main TTC fleet but do not include wheelchair assessable buses from the regular fleet.

Contracts

Most of Wheel-Trans operations are provided by the TTC, but some of the services are contracted out to private operators.

Able Atlantic Taxi
Make/modelDescription# passengersYear acquiredYear retiredNotes
Chrysler CaravanConverted van2Disabled access

Beck Taxi
Make/modelDescription# passengersYear acquiredYear retiredNotes
Chevrolet UplanderConverted van41998June, 2011Disabled access
Chevrolet VentureConverted van41998June, 2011Disabled access
Dodge Grand CaravanConverted Van41997TTL Vehicle Disabled access
Toyota SiennaConverted Van42005TTL Vehicle Disabled access
Ford Transit ConnectModified Vehicle5 (Includes Wheelchair)2015TTL Vehicle Disabled access
Plymouth VoyagerConverted Van51996November, 2002Disabled access
Toyota CamrySedan42007Non-wheelchair accessible (Canes and walkers)
MV-1 (Mobility-Vehicle 1)Minivan2 (Wheelchairs)2013TTL Vehicle or used as a Wheel-Trans contracted vehicle. Disabled access
Toyota CorollaSedan42015Non-wheelchair accessible (Canes and walkers)
Ford Crown VictoriaSedan419942008Limited fleet. Cab drivers may not acquire this vehicle for service - Non-wheelchair accessible (Canes and walkers)

Royal Taxi
Make/modelDescription# passengersYear acquiredYear retiredNotes
Dodge Grand Caravan SportConverted van2Used as TTL vehicle or for Wheel-Trans contracted taxicabs.Disabled access
Pontiac MontanaConverted van2Retired - Toronto Municipal Licensing and Standards no longer allow this vehicle in service, as it does not meet requirements to operate as a taxicab.Disabled access
Chevrolet VentureConverted van2All 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.Disabled access
Ford Crown VictoriaSedan419962008Toronto 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. Disabled access

Scarboro City Cab
Make/modelDescription# passengersYear acquiredYear retiredNotes
Dodge Grand Caravan SportConverted van2Disabled access

Toronto Para Transit
Make/modelDescription# passengersYear acquiredYear retiredNotes
Chevrolet Venture-Kino Maxi ShuttleConverted van2Disabled access
Chrysler CaravanConverted van2Disabled access

Wheelchair Taxi
Make/modelDescription# passengersYear acquiredYear retiredNotes
Ford E350 minibusConverted van~3Disabled access
Chrysler CaravanConverted van2Disabled access
Chrysler Sprinter vanConverted van2Disabled access
Ford Transit ConnectConverted van42014Disabled access

Assessibility outside of Wheel-Trans
Main article: Toronto Transit Commission accessibility

As 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

References
  1. Hey, Kevin; Sheldrake, John, eds. (2019) [1997]. Urban Transport: A Century of Progress?. Taylor and Francis. ISBN 9780429685538 – via Google Books.
  2. "Wheel-Trans called a 'mess' since the TTC took over: [FIN Edition]". Toronto Star. 1989-01-16. p. A6. ISSN 0319-0781.
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