OC Transpo Introduces New Community Pass to Benefit Disabled Residents

Starting March 1, a new discounted transit pass will be available to Ottawa residents who receive benefits under the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). The Community Pass is a one-year pilot project and replaces the previous policy of free fares for transit customers who use a mobility aid.

The project is designed to make transit more affordable and more inclusive for people with disabilities and a low income. Transit will be subsidized for a wider group of disabled customers – not just those using wheelchairs, scooters or walkers – whose income is below the poverty line. About 16,000 ODSP recipients will be eligible to buy the discounted pass and about 4,000 people are expected to take advantage of this offer.

At a cost of $28.25 a month, the same price as a discounted Senior’s pass, customers will save $58.75 a month. The Community Pass looks the same as an Adult Express pass and will allow customers to ride any bus route as well as the O-Train.

The previous policy of free fares for customers who use a mobility device was introduced as an incentive for Para Transpo customers to use OC Transpo low-floor accessible transit buses. The Community Pass is accepted on Para Transpo service but must be topped up to the full fare in an effort to encourage customers to take conventional transit. Registered Para Transpo customers who do not receive ODSP benefits are also eligible to buy the Community Pass.

This project has received widespread support across Ottawa’s disabled community and was unanimously accepted by the City of Ottawa’s Accessible Advisory Committee. Ottawa City Council approved the Community Pass Project on June 22, 2005.

For more information about the Community Pass, phone 613-741-4390 or the OC Transpo Access Hotline at 613-842-3625, or visit octranspo.com.