Spring - Summer 2014

2013 Wheel-Trans Milestones

• Provided customers with close to 3 million trips
• Wheel-Trans Buses travelled over 11 million kilometres providing these trips
• Over 1 million trips (and rising!) booked on-line mywheel-trans.ttc.ca
• 32,000 registered and active customers

Email Link to Electronic Newsletter

If you would prefer an email sent to you with a link to an electronic version of the CommuntyLink, please let us know at wtcs@ttc.ca, with your name, registration number and valid email address.

Message from the 2014 ACAT Executive

We anticipate that 2014 will be a very challenging and productive year as the members of ACAT continue to monitor, review and advise on TTC initiatives that have implications for those of us who have disabilities or seniors who may have difficulty navigating the system for a variety of reasons.

ACAT continues to work with staff to ensure that the new streetcar fleet is fully accessible.

In addition, ACAT and staff are working on a safe way for passengers with disabilities and seniors with mobility impairments to cross from the sidewalk to the streetcar boarding area and vice versa. We are also working with staff to find ways to reduce both the horizontal and the vertical gaps between subway trains and platforms in some stations.

On a practical matter to Wheel-Trans customers ACAT is encouraging staff, in an initiative to change the IT system, to permit Wheel-Trans users to update their address files without having to wait on the phone for someone to take the information. ACAT is in the final stages of developing a Travel Training program for Wheel-Trans users who would like to learn how to use the TTC’s conventional system.

ACAT is continuing to provide advice and feed back to the TTC regarding the new Presto card machines and associated equipment to ensure that they are accessible to all customers, particularly those with visual Impairments or limited dexterity that would make it difficult to operate some equipment.

These are just a few of the initiatives that ACAT is working on at the outset of 2014. If anyone has any issues that they know to be a problem for themselves or other riders with disabilities or seniors with mobility impairments please direct them to ACAT, acat@ttc.ca and we will assess them and direct them to the appropriate subcommittee for discussion with staff.

Respectfully submitted,

Susan Davidson (ACAT Chair)

Mazin Aribi and Tim Rose (Vice Chairs)

September 17, 2014

TTC Public Forum on Accessible Transit

Please note on your calendar that this event will now take place in September!

Queen Elizabeth Exhibition Hall,
Exhibition Place
180 Princes’ Boulevard

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

TTC Board, TTC Staff, and members of the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit (ACAT) will be on hand to hear from the public about the accessibility of conventional TTC and door-to-door (Wheel-Trans) public transit services in Toronto. Let us know how the TTC team can make the system accessible for everyone.

Topics:

• Discussion of previous Public Forum concerns and progress made
• Review of new service initiatives
• Opportunity for the community to voice concerns or suggestions for accessible transit improvement

WT 101 Sessions - For Customers

Customers now have an opportunity to learn more about Wheel-Trans service in a small group setting.

Learn about:

• Booking rides on the Internet and RideLine
• Types of Service, How to Book, Confirm and Cancel Rides
• Hours of Service, Fares, Companion/Support Person Policy
• Priority Line & Customer Service
• Operating Policies - Service Expectations
• Accessible TTC Fixed Route Service
• Space is limited. Contact Customer Service at your earliest convenience.
• Email wtcs@ttc.ca or phone 416-393-4111.
• Update your Mobility Device information
  • It is important to ensure that we have the correct mobility device on your file to make sure we book the appropriate vehicle for your trips. If you have changed your mobility device recently or if you use an oversize walker, wheelchair or scooter, confirm that we have the correct information on file when you speak with the Reservationist to book your trips.  If changes are required, please contact Customer Service at wtcs@ttc.ca or by calling 416-393-4111 to confirm that we have the most up-to-date information on your file.

Travelling within the GTA

If you plan on travelling to Mississauga, Brampton. Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Newmarket or Ajax/Pickering, Wheel-Trans will get you to the nearest transfer point!

Queensway Trillium Hospital
150 Sherway Drive
To Transfer into Mississauga, Brampton

Woodbine Race Track
550 Rexdale Blvd.
To Transfer into Mississauga, Brampton

Tim Hortons
3310 Steeles Ave W.
(west of Jane)
To Transfer into York Region

Centrepoint Mall
Pickle Barrel
6300 Yonge St
To Transfer into York Region

Shops at Steeles
2900 Steeles Ave E.
Steels/404
To Transfer into York Region

Tim Hortons
4228 Midland Avenue
Steeles and Midland
To Transfer into York Region

McDonalds
(Port Union Road)
Hwy 2 / Hwy 401
7431 Kingston Road
To Transfer into Durham Region

Safety and Service Hints

• Verify addresses before calling Wheel-Trans to book your rides. In order to book an address, we need the correct numerical address, closest intersection, building type and entrance. For example: 1900 Yonge St., Yonge and Davisville, office building, main entrance.
• Drivers are responsible for your safety. If you will require assistance with parcels or luggage, please have a companion or support person with you to assist.
• Wheel-Trans will take you anywhere within the City of Toronto or to any location within 1 km of the Toronto boundaries.
• If you miss your ride going to a location, your return ride is automatically cancelled. You must call within 30 minutes to let us know that you will still need your ride going home.
• If you miss your ride or your ride is late, by more than 30 minutes, call the Priority Line at 416-393-4311 to enquire about the status of your ride.
• We all need to pay our “Fare Share”. If you have forgotten your fare, please send it as soon as possible to: Wheel-Trans Customer Service at 580 Commissioners St., Toronto, On M4M 1A7. Be sure to include your name and registration number.
• If you use a TTC Metropass, always show it to the driver so that the Metropass number can be recorded and you will be marked as paid.

TTC Travel Training Available at an Accessible Subway Station

If you are interested in learning how to use the accessible features of a subway including boarding the train, email wtcs@ttc.ca or call Wheel-Trans Customer Service at 416-393-4111. Small group sessions will be arranged starting this summer.

Outreach – Keeping our Community Informed

Attention:  Community Leaders/Program Coordinators

Invite Wheel-Trans staff to your Open Houses, Information Sessions or Facility Meetings.

We can personalize our presentations to address the specific needs of your clients.

Contact Customer Service by email at wtcs@ttc.ca.

Internet Trip Booking

The Quickest and most Convenient way to book Trips!

• To book Wheel-Trans, go to mywheel-trans.ttc.ca to book online, or call the RideLine at 416 397-8000 to book your rides.
• To choose your destination, choose “Landmarks”, then “CommCntr/Attrn/Office/Library/Rel/Park” and then choose “CNE - People in Motion Show” or “CNE - Queen Elizabeth Building”.

Available from 5:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m., 7 days a week

When you book your trips at mywheel-trans.ttc.ca, you are able to choose from:

• Common Landmarks: These are the addresses of all major hospitals, shopping malls, entertainment facilities, community centres, and any other locations that we provide rides to on a regular basis. It is not necessary to add these addresses to your favourites because they are available for everyone to choose.
• Any destination: Addresses that you have booked a trip to in the last 6 months

Wheel-Trans will provide Shuttle Bus service from accessible Bathurst Subway Station to the People in Motion Show. Please see the chart to the left for the Wheel-Trans shuttle bus schedule for June 6 and 7, leaving every half hour beginning at 9:30 a.m.

For assistance in planning your trip using the TTC Accessible Transit Network, call TTC Customer Information at 416-393-INFO (4636) or visit the website www.ttc.ca.

For TTC schedule and route information, visit www.ttc.ca and click on Schedules & Maps.

Call 416-393-4636 (INFO) for more information about Accessible TTC.