Accessibility
Transit that works for every body.
Every Niagara Transit vehicle is fully accessible. Here’s what that means for your trip, and the support available if you need it.
Need this page in another format? We provide accessibility information in large print, braille or audio on request.
What makes our buses accessible
Every conventional Niagara Transit bus is a low-floor, fully accessible vehicle. Here’s what you’ll find on board.
Kneeling buses & ramps
The operator can lower the front of the bus to a kneeling position and deploy a ramp, so you can board on a gentle incline with a cane, walker, wheelchair or small scooter.
Priority & courtesy seating
Priority seats near the front door, marked with the blue decal, are for riders with disabilities. Courtesy seats nearby are for seniors, expectant mothers and adults with small children.
Audio stop announcements
Each bus announces upcoming stops out loud by name and street, helping riders with vision loss and anyone travelling an unfamiliar route.
Wheelchair securement
A dedicated wheelchair area with a stabilizer belt keeps you secure while the bus is moving. Operators will help you secure your device on request.
Using the stabilizer belt
Position your wheelchair facing the back of the bus, with the back against the padded post, and lock it in place.
Pull out the stabilizer belt, located beside the flipped-up seats.
Pass the belt through the front of the wheelchair frame, on the side closest to the seats.
Buckle the belt and make sure it’s tight.
Need a hand?
Just ask. Operators will help you position and secure your mobility device on request, and give you the time you need to board and get settled before the bus moves.
What operators will do, on request
Our operators are trained to help you travel safely and comfortably. Just ask, and they will:
- Deploy the ramp for step-free boarding
- Give you enough time to board, be secured, and exit safely
- Help secure your mobility device
- Welcome your medical aids on board
In an emergency
If a bus must be evacuated, operators are trained to identify riders with disabilities and help them reach a safe location. This information is available in an accessible format on request.
When a stop isn’t accessible
Sometimes a stop is temporarily blocked or unsafe. Here’s how we handle that.
Alternative safe boarding
If a stop is inaccessible, the operator will let you board or exit at the closest safe location on the same route, even if it isn’t an official stop.
Your preferences count
When choosing a safe alternative spot, operators take your preferences into account, balancing safety with your needs.
We fix barriers
Operators promptly report any temporary inaccessibility or barriers so we can resolve them. You can report one too through our feedback form or Bus Stop Maintenance request.
Learning to ride with confidence
Accessibility is more than ramps. These programs help riders of all abilities travel independently.
Travel training
Free, hands-on sessions that teach seniors and people with disabilities how to plan a trip, board, pay and ride with confidence, one-on-one or in groups.
Ride the bus, virtually
An online tool to explore a Niagara Transit bus at your own pace before your first trip, helpful for riders with autism, ADHD or cognitive disabilities.
CNIB cardholders ride free
Riders who are legally blind travel free with their CNIB card, and so does their support person. Just show your card to the operator.
Information your way
Any of our rider information is available in large print, braille or audio. We’ll work with you to provide what you need in the format that works for you.
Niagara Transit Plus
If a disability prevents you from using conventional transit, you may qualify for our door-to-door specialized service.
Door-to-door, pre-approved service
Specialized vehicles are designed for riders with disabilities who’ve been pre-approved. They’re safe, comfortable and fully accessible, with trained operators who help you board, secure mobility aids, and travel across the Niagara region.
- Wheelchair and scooter lifts on specialized buses
- Multiple mobility devices per vehicle
- Q-Straint tie-downs and passenger seatbelts in vans
- Operators help secure and store mobility aids
- Certified guide dogs and service animals welcome
Universal Support Person Pass
Your support person rides free
If you need an attendant to travel on conventional or specialized transit across Niagara, they ride free, and the pass costs nothing. A medical professional confirms the requirement on your application.
Tell us how we’re doing
We welcome feedback on the accessibility of our services, and we respond in the format that works for you. Ran into a barrier? Have an idea? We want to hear it, and it helps us improve.