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GRT's conventional buses and ION light rail trains are equipped with features to make them fully accessible.
Bus operators will, upon request:
GRT conventional buses are accessible, low-floor buses. The operator can lower the front of the bus to a kneeling position so passengers who have difficulty stepping up can board the bus more easily. All buses are equipped with ramps, so passengers with mobility devices like canes, walkers, wheelchairs or small scooters can board the bus on a gentle incline.
If you are unable to use conventional public transit due to a disability, you may be eligible for MobilityPLUS. Eligibility for these services is considered on a case-by-case basis and is not based on a particular disability. GRT's MobilityPLUS service uses small bus-style vehicles to transport people with disabilities. People registered with MobilityPLUS can book rides in advance anywhere within the city limits of Cambridge, Kitchener and Waterloo.
The Transit Support Person program is designed for people who require assistance using transit to get to their destination.
Priority seating is available on all buses and trains for the use of passengers with a disability. These seats are located close to the entrance door of the vehicle and are marked with the blue Priority Seating decal. Remember that not all disabilities are visible!
If you have a child in a stroller, you can use the priority seating area if it is not occupied but must vacate the seat for a customer with a disability.
If you are sitting in the priority seating area and do not need priority seating, please give up your seat to someone who needs it.
Operators can play a recorded announcement reminding customers to make space for someone with a disability in the priority seating area. However, operators cannot enforce priority seating or ask customers to give up their seat.
Priority seating is located by the double doors. One area has a pair of padded backrests, the other has a pair of seats that flip down. There are no restraints for mobility devices. To use the priority seating area:
Other passengers, including those with bicycles, are required to move from these seats for anyone with a disability or mobility challenge.
If you need more time when exiting the train, press the blue 'Accessible stop request' button in the middle of the priority seating area. The doors will remain open longer so you can exit the train safely.
Priority seating works when we all work together.
GRT buses and ION light rail trains are equipped with interior and exterior audio announcements. Audio announcements help people who are visually impaired and passengers who are travelling an unfamiliar route.
The wheelchair seating area is equipped with a stabilizer belt to keep passengers in wheelchairs secure while the bus is moving.
In the event of an emergency evacuation on the bus, bus operators will identify customers with a disability and provide the appropriate assistance to evacuate them from the vehicle to a safe location.
When attempting to board the bus all mobility aides and devices must be able to fit through the front doors.
On some buses the front doors are 40 inches wide. On all other buses the front doors are 30 inches wide. The aisles in a bus are roughly 24 inches wide.
Customers travelling on GRT vehicles may use standard mobility devices, such as standard wheelchairs, manual or electric three- or four-wheel scooters, canes, crutches, and walkers.
Any customer or support person using a standard mobility device or an unconventional mobility aid must be in control of it at all times. Operators will not handle a customer’s mobility device.
Customers travelling on GRT conventional buses using unconventional mobility aids — including, but not limited to, transport wheelchairs, two-wheeled mobility scooters with a seat, or modified strollers — must ensure there is space available in the priority seating area when boarding.
Customers are required to fold their device, if it is designed to be folded, either before or after boarding. Customers who are unable to fold their device must remain with it in the priority seating area and hold it firmly. If a customer is unable to control their device, they may be asked to leave the vehicle for passenger safety.
GRT reserves the right to decline boarding to customers using an unconventional mobility aid that would interfere with the safety of other customers. Unconventional mobility aids that must be registered or require an operating license (motorcycles, vehicles, etc.) are not permitted on GRT vehicles. Unconventional mobility aids are restricted to those that accommodate only a single user. Unconventional mobility aids powered by gasoline or other combustible fuels are not permitted on GRT vehicles.
Grand River Transit low floor buses can deploy ramps in any weather condition. Each ramp is slightly less than 30 inches wide and has a maximum lift capacity of 600 pounds (272 kg).
On GRT MobilityPLUS vehicles, each ramp is 33 inches wide and has a lift capacity of 800 pounds (364 kg).
Even if your mobility device is within the maximum width and weight limits, the length and maneuverability of your device may affect your ability to board the bus. Once you have boarded the bus, your mobility device must be able to turn and maneuver into the priority seating area. If you have any concerns, please contact the Customer Service Centre at 519-585-7555 for more information.
Contact Us
Grand River Transit
250 Strasburg Rd
Kitchener, ON N2E 3M6
Phone: 519-585-7555
