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City of Hamilton
Accessible Transportation Services
Welcome to the Accessible Transportation Services (ATS) section!
Accessible Transportation Services (ATS) is the City of Hamilton operational section that administers the family of accessible services on behalf of the City. In specialized transit, ATS registers passengers and takes advance reservations for the City's contracted service provider, the Disabled and Aged Regional Transportation System (DARTS) and its subcontractor, Veterans Taxi Service (VETS). ATS also manages policies and guidelines for service delivery, provides customer service, manages the Taxi Scrip program and coordinates use of accessible HSR buses for people with disabilities. ATS reports to Council through the Transportation, Energy and Facilities Division of the Public Works Department.
Specialized transportation is a door-to-door shared ride service in which the driver provides assistance to the passenger. According to the Canadian Urban Transit Association statistics, Hamilton provides the 7th highest level of specialized service in Canada (over 600,000 trips per year). This number is expected to rise steadily for the foreseeable future.
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VIDEO CAMERAS ON SPECIALIZED TRANSIT (DARTS)
Video surveillance cameras are used on the Specialized Transit service for the City of Hamilton (DARTS). Under the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the recorded image of an individual is considered personal information.
The personal information collected by the use of the City’s video surveillance cameras is collected under the authority of the City of Hamilton Act, 1999 and Municipal Act. The information is used for the purpose of enhancing safety and security of people and property, reducing crime on City property, and assisting the risk management and insurance process.
Any questions about this collection can be directed to:
Director of Transit
City of Hamilton
2200 Upper James Street
Hamilton, ON L0R 1W0
Telephone: 905-546-2424, Ext. 1860 | _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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CHECK YOUR RIDE - CONFIRM OR CANCEL YOUR TRIP
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and ATS Web
Interested passengers must contact ATS and register for IVR and ATS Web (905-528-4200, Ext. 1830) . ATS will provide a password in order to access both systems. ATS will offer assistance and/or training to passengers, if required. To view a copy of the ATS bulletin regarding IVR and ATS Web please click on the following link: Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and ATS Web
To access ATS Web click on the following link: ATS Web
IVR: (905) 529-1212 Press "4"
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ATS ELIGIBILITY AND REGISTRATION
For the current ATS Eligibility and Registration policy please click on the following link: ATS Eligibility & Registration
To access the ATS Application Form please click on the following link: ATS Application Form
At the direction of Council, ATS staff have recommended a revised Eligibility and Registration Policy for specialized transit. For a copy of the report please click on the following link: Eligibility and Registration Policy Revision for Accessible Transportation Services (PW03128c)
For a copy of the Executive Summary to the report please click on the following link: Appendix "A" regarding Eligibility and Registration Policy Revision
This report was reviewed and approved by Council on April 28, 2010. For a copy of the Council Recommendation please click on the following link: (Item 7.2 on Page 12) Recommendation from Wednesday April 28, 2010 Council Meeting
NEW ELIGIBILITY POLICY - For a Summary of Comments from the Public Information Centres held on September 24, 2008 and March 11, 2009 - click on the following links:
Public Information Centre - Sep 24 08
Public Information Centre - Mar 11 09
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TAXI SCRIP PROGRAM
The Taxi Scrip program provides discounted coupons for transportation with any taxi company within the City of Hamilton. Taxi Scrip passengers book service directly with the taxi company at their convenience. To benefit from Taxi Scrip, a person must be unable to use regular transit by reason of a disability, must have registered with Accessible Transportation Services and must be prepared to show the taxi driver their personal ATS Photo Identification Card each time a taxi trip is taken. The Taxi Scrip program is available to persons with disabilities who are unable to access regular transit service.
For more information on the Taxi Scrip Program view our detailed Taxi Scrip Program section or click on the following link: Passengers Guide to Taxi Scrip
To access the Taxi Scrip application form please click the following link: ATS Taxi Scrip Application Form
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POLICIES AND GUIDELINES
For information on wheelchairs and scooters that can be transported on DARTS please click on the following link: Wheelchairs & Scooters
To view a copy of the ATS policy on Call Returns please click on the following link: Call Return Policy
To view a copy of the ATS policy on No Shows, Late Cancellations and Excessive Cancellations please click on the following link: No Show, Late Cancellations, Excessive Cancellations
To view a copy of the ATS bulletin on the acceptable size of scooters and wheelchairs on HSR buses please click on the following link: Information for Wheelchair & Scooter Users
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HSR ACCESSIBLE LOW FLOOR (ALF) BUSES
Regular transit service in Hamilton for people with disabilities is a reality. More than 50,000 people with disabilities take an Hamilton Street Railway (HSR) bus every year. All HSR bus routes are currently served by accessible low-floor (ALF) buses. The ALF buses provide level entry and exit with no steps, and accommodate wheelchairs, scooters and walkers. The ALF buses are easy to use for everyone, especially people who have difficulty climbing stairs. For more information with respect to the ALF Bus please click the following link: ALF Buses
For a Passenger's Guide to ALF Bus Service click the following link: Passenger's Guide to ALF Bus Service
PLEASE GIVE PRIORITY TO PEOPLE WITH A WHEELCHAIR OR SCOOTER
When a passenger using a wheelchair or scooter boards an HSR ALF bus, they have a priority to use the wheelchair designated area; Priority for Passengers Using a Wheelchair/Scooters on HSR
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NEWSLETTERS
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PASSENGER SERVICE BULLETINS
- Stop Annunciation on HSR Buses (Stop Annunciation) - This update contains information about automated stop annunciation and display on HSR buses;
- Security Cameras on DARTS Buses (January 2011) - This passenger service bulletin contains important information about security cameras being installed on DARTS buses;
- Changes to DARTS Fares & Support Persons Policy (December 2009) - This passenger service bulletin contains important information about changes to DARTS fares & the new Support Persons policy for ATS & DARTS;
- No Shows, Late Cancellations & Excessive Cancellations (July 2005) - This passenger service bulletin contains important information about the changes implemented in 2005 with respect to the No Show, Late Cancellation and Excessive Cancellation Policy.
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The Disabled and Aged Regional Transportation System (DARTS)
The Disabled and Aged Regional Transportation System (DARTS) is the non profit charitable organization that is the accessible service provider for the City. DARTS is a door to door transportation service employing wheelchair accessible buses and contracted taxi service.
For more information on DARTS service click on the following link: Passenger's Guide to DARTS
To learn more about DARTS please visit www.dartstransit.com
DARTS IS A SHARED RIDE SERVICE
DARTS is a shared ride service; that means people travel together on the bus. ATS makes a new route every day for every vehicle, to pick up and drop off as many passengers as possible. This may add to the time it takes you to get to your destination, but it is the way to make sure that as many people as possible get service, so please be patient. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
LINKS
Advisory Committee for Persons with Disabilities (ACPD)
The Advisory Committee for persons with Disabilities is committed to raising the community awareness of disabilities and identifying issues that will lead to the elimination of barriers for persons with disabilities: Terms of Reference ACPD
Seniors Advisory Committee (SAC)
The Seniors Advisory committee shall be a credible communication vehicle regarding the quality of life for all older persons in the City. It provides a form for consumers and delivers of senior service and facilities to identify issues, explore possible remedies and work to implement them: Terms of Reference Seniors
City of Hamilton Access and Equity Office
Hamilton City Council made an explicit commitment in 2001 towards ensuring that the City places a high value on diversity of its residents and its desire to develop, promote and possess an equitable and inclusive environment: City of Hamilton Accessibility Plan
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CONTACT US
To contact ATS via mail, please address the envelope to:
The Hamilton Street Railway Company
c.o. Accessible Transportation Services
2200 Upper James Street, P.O. Box 340
Mount Hope ON L0R 1W0
To contact ATS via Email:
ats@hamilton.ca
To contact ATS via telephone:
ATS - ADVANCE SERVICE (to reserve, cancel or confirm a trip)
8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday (except statutory holidays)
(905) 529-1212
ATS Customer Service
8:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday (except statutory holidays)
(905) 529-1212, Ext. 1830
DARTS - SAME DAY SERVICE (for call returns, same day trip requests, same day cancellations or information)
7:00 am - 11:00 pm, Sunday to Wednesday & Statutory Holidays
7:00 am - 12:30 am, Thursday to Saturday
(905) 529-1717
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