Specialized Transit
Accessible rides across Niagara.
Curb-to-curb, accessible shared ride service for Niagara residents whose disability prevents them from using conventional buses.
What is Specialized Transit?
Specialized Transit is an application-based, shared ride service for Niagara residents with disabilities who cannot use conventional bus service. Once approved, you can book door-to-door trips across the region on a first-come, first-served basis.
Drivers assist you from one accessible door to another. Like the rest of Niagara Transit Plus, it’s a shared ride service, so other riders may be on board and the route may adjust along the way.
It’s part of Niagara Transit Plus, so you book through the same NT+ app and pay the same $3.50 fare as Microtransit. The difference is that Specialized Transit requires an application and approval first.
- Application and approval required
- Curb-to-curb accessible service
- Shared ride across the region
- Booked through the NT+ app
- $3.50 fare, kids 12 and under free
- First-come, first-served booking
How eligibility is decided
If a disability significantly affects your ability to use standard buses, you may qualify. Not all disabilities are eligible, and eligibility is based on your practical challenges with transit, not on a diagnosis alone.
Practical challenges
A doctor’s diagnosis alone doesn’t decide eligibility. We assess the real challenges you face using public transit.
What we consider
The main factor is how your disability affects your ability to ride our buses or flexible services.
Each application reviewed
Every application is evaluated individually. Age, income, and local transit availability don’t affect the decision.
Good to know: the full Specialized Transit Eligibility Policy is available under Policies and By-Laws.
Need a ride during your review? If you have an unexpected emergency and need Niagara Transit Plus service while your eligibility is being reviewed, call 1-833-678-5463, Option 1.
How to apply
The application has two parts: Part 1 is completed by you, and Part 2 is completed by a medical or health care professional. Return the completed application by email to applications@nrtransit.ca.
Complete Part 1
Fill out your section of the application online, download it, or pick up a form at the St. Catharines or Welland terminal.
Have Part 2 completed
A medical or health care professional completes Part 2 about how your disability affects your travel.
Submit both parts
Submit online with Part 2 attached, or email the completed application to applications@nrtransit.ca.
Get your decision
Each application is reviewed individually. You’ll receive a decision letter, which includes appeal steps if needed.
Ways to get the form
- Online — Fill out the application on our website.
- Download — Print and complete at your own pace.
- In person — Pick up at the St. Catharines or Welland terminal.
- By mail — Call 1-833-678-5463, Option 1, to have one sent.
How your trips work
A few things to know so your rides go smoothly. The full details are in the Rider Guide.
Book up to 7 days ahead
Trips are first-come, first-served, so you may not always get your exact requested time.
15-minute pickup window
Be ready at your first accessible door at the start of the window. Drivers wait up to 5 minutes.
Allow extra travel time
As a shared service, a trip can take up to 60 minutes. You can stay on board for up to one hour.
Cancel at least 4 hours ahead
Late cancellations and no-shows are tracked. A pattern of them can limit or suspend your service.
Support persons & kids
If your eligibility requires a support person, they must join every trip. Children 12 and under ride free.
Keep your info current
Update contact details so we can reach you. Accounts unused for 24 months are deactivated.
Service zones
Specialized Transit serves all 12 Niagara municipalities. From your home municipality, you can travel door-to-door to any location in the others.
The same fare as the rest of the network
3.50
Travel in any direction for two hours, transferring as many times as you need to reach your destination.
Children 12 and under ride free.
Pay by cash, the Transit app, a fare card, or U-Pass. See more about fares
Rules and things to know
A summary of the main policies. The Rider Guide and Policies and By-Laws pages have the complete terms.
Shared ride service
Other riders may be on board, the route may change to accommodate them, and the vehicle may stop to pick up others on the way. We can’t accommodate a preference for a specific vehicle.
No-shows and late cancellations
A late cancellation is cancelling within 4 hours of your pickup window. A no-show is not being at the pickup point at the booked time (drivers allow 5 minutes). Within 30 days, 4 or more late cancels/no-shows that add up to 40% of your bookings puts you on a booking-limitation list for one week (max 4 rides booked at once, 48 hours ahead). Repeated limitations can lead to suspension.
Door-to-door service levels
Drivers assist you from one accessible door to another:
- Wheelchairs and scooters: ramp, no steps (ramps meet Ontario Building Code).
- Cane, walker or similar: up to 2 steps.
- No mobility device: up to 2 steps.
Mobility devices
You’re responsible for keeping your device in good working order. Service can be declined for safety reasons (a device that can’t be secured safely, can’t be controlled, or is in poor condition). Scooters over 0.76 m (30 in) wide, 1.27 m (50 in) long, or a combined weight over 363 kg (800 lb) can’t be accommodated.
Children needing a car seat
Book through the NT+ app using the “Child 12 and Under Requiring a Car Seat” seating option. You must bring, install and secure your own child restraint system, operators can’t help with installation. Children 12 and under ride free.
During your trip
Seatbelts are required unless medically excused. No smoking (including e-cigarettes), alcohol, or hazardous materials. Carry enough medication and supplies in case of a delay. Drivers can’t carry personal items or accept gifts or gratuities.
Winter weather and safe access
Please clear snow and ice from the path to your first accessible door. If nearby streets aren’t safe to travel, we’ll contact you about any cancellations. If clearing a path isn’t possible for you, let us know and we’ll work with you on a solution.
If a ride can't be completed
Rarely, a trip can’t be completed due to something like a breakdown or a driver becoming unavailable, this is an “abandoned ride.” We monitor upcoming trips, contact you promptly, and work to reassign the ride or reschedule. Keeping your phone on and charged helps us reach you.
Appeals
Not everyone is approved, and some applicants are approved with conditions. If you disagree with your eligibility decision, you can appeal using the process included in your decision letter.
A three-person panel, a third-party medical professional, a Joint Accessibility Advisory Committee member or NT+ customer, and a Niagara Transit representative, reviews your documentation and hears why you feel the decision didn’t capture your ability to use conventional transit. The panel’s decision is final.
Find the appeal form on our website or submit by email to applications@nrtransit.ca.
Book with the NT+ app
After approval, download the Niagara Transit Plus app or book online, add your pickup and drop-off, and go.
Prefer to book by phone or need help? Call 1-833-678-5463, Option 1.