Wheel-Trans
Template:Short description Template:Infobox bus transitTemplate:More citations needed{{ safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst||date=__DATE__ |$B= Template:Unreferenced }} Wheel-Trans is a paratransit system in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, provided by the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC). It provides specialized door-to-door accessible transit services for persons with physical disabilities using its fleet of accessible minibuses or contracted accessible taxis. Users must register with the TTC who will typically grant access to those with permanent disabilities or show difficulty in traveling short distances. Wheel-Trans only provides service within the city of Toronto and accepts the regular TTC fare.
History
Wheel-Trans was born out of an initiative by the Trans-Action Coalition, a group led by Beryl Potter lobbying for transit accessibility in Toronto.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The paratransit system was officially created in 1975 as a two-year pilot project contracted to Wheelchair Mobile and operated on behalf of Metropolitan Toronto and the province of Ontario until 1976.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Only individuals using wheelchairs were accepted as the original 46 users of the pilot project, and rode at no cost. In 1977 the service was contracted to All-Way Transportation Corporation of Toronto before being taken over by the TTC in 1985.
Operations
{{ safesubst:#invoke:Unsubst||date=__DATE__ |$B= Template:Unreferenced }}
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
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}}
Wheel-Trans buses operates as part of the main TTC fleet but do not include wheelchair accessible 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/model | Description | # passengers | Year acquired | Year retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chrysler Caravan | Converted van | 2 | Template:Access icon |
Bee Line Taxi
Beck Taxi
| Make/model | Description | # passengers | Year acquired | Year retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Uplander | Converted van | 4 | 1998 | June, 2011 | Template:Access icon |
| Chevrolet Venture | Converted van | 4 | 1998 | June, 2011 | Template:Access icon |
| Dodge Grand Caravan | Converted Van | 4 | 1997 | TTL Vehicle Template:Access icon | |
| Toyota Sienna | Converted Van | 4 | 2005 | TTL Vehicle Template:Access icon | |
| Ford Transit Connect | Modified Vehicle | 5 (Includes Wheelchair) | 2015 | TTL Vehicle Template:Access icon | |
| Plymouth Voyager | Converted Van | 5 | 1996 | November, 2002 | Template:Access icon |
| 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. Template:Access icon | |
| 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
| 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. | Template:Access icon | |
| 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. | Template:Access icon | |
| 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. | Template:Access icon | |
| 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. Template:Access icon |
Scarboro City Cab
| Make/model | Description | # passengers | Year acquired | Year retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dodge Grand Caravan Sport | Converted van | 2 | Template:Access icon |
Toronto Para Transit
| Make/model | Description | # passengers | Year acquired | Year retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chevrolet Venture-Kino Maxi Shuttle | Converted van | 2 | Template:Access icon | ||
| Chrysler Caravan | Converted van | 2 | Template:Access icon |
Wheelchair Taxi
| Make/model | Description | # passengers | Year acquired | Year retired | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ford E350 minibus | Converted van | ~3 | Template:Access icon | ||
| Chrysler Caravan | Converted van | 2 | Template:Access icon | ||
| Chrysler Sprinter van | Converted van | 2 | Template:Access icon | ||
| Ford Transit Connect | Converted van | 4 | 2014 | Template:Access icon |
Accessibility outside of Wheel-Trans
{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} 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 Flexity Outlook streetcars are fully accessible. However, not all stops are easily accessible for customers in wheelchairs, particularly in winter.
See also
- 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