ParaTranspo service extended to riders with developmental disabilities, mental health issues

Riders with development disabilities or mental health issues will be able to sign up for ParaTranspo door-to-door rides after council approved changes to the way the system operates.

City officials estimated that between 800 and 2,000 additional people could be eligible for ParaTranspo services under the new rules, although some current riders may no longer qualify.

The changes are expected to come into effect by the spring of 2017.

The recommendations to change ParaTranspo eligibility came after a year-long review of who should be eligible to take Para Transpo minibuses and accessible taxis, and how they should book their trips.

OC Transpo boss John Manconi assured councillors earlier this year that the transit department has a strategy to pay for all the changes stemming from the review, includinghiring a medical professional to review applications.

He pointed toa new, "aggressive" contract with Coventry Connections for itsaccessibletaxi servicethat he said freed up money to accommodate more ParaTranspo riders.

Para Transpo also has animproved dispatch system, and has converted its fleet toa new modelof minibus that can carry more passengers,said Manconi.

Improvements to thebooking processand an updated penalty system also aim to addressa large number of late cancellations and no-shows.

Some25,000 Para Transpo tripseach year are no-shows.Another 100,000 trips are cancelled late, although the city acknowledges some cancellations are unavoidable.