Application for Universal Support Person Pass, Conventional Transit

You may be eligible for a Universal Support Person Pass if you are unable to travel independently and require assistance on conventional transit.

This allows one support person to ride for free while accompanying a valid fare paying customer who needs assistance while travelling. It is important to note that all conventional transit buses are fully accessible for those with disabilities.

If you're thinking of applying for the pass, the following information is important:

• The pass holder must pay a fare, but is entitled to be accompanied by one support person free of charge when they present their Universal Support Person Pass at the time of boarding
• Passes are issued to those whose application to the service meets the eligibility criteria as verified by a health or medical professional
• There is no fee for the Universal Support Person Pass
• This pass complies with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act (AODA)

Please note:
The following excerpt taken from the Integrated Accessibility Standards (IASR) Act., Regulation 191-11

38.
(1) No conventional transportation service provider and no specialized transportation service provider shall charge a fare to a support person who is accompanying a person with a disability, where the person has a need for a support person.

(2) It is the responsibility of a person with a disability to demonstrate to a transportation service provider described in subsection (1) their need for a support person to accompany them on the conventional or specialized transportation service and to ensure that the appropriate designate for a support person is in place.

Eligibility Guidelines:

An applicant’s eligibility for a Support Person Pass is directly dependent on their inability to use conventional, accessible transit independently. It does not necessarily depend on medical problems such as cardiovascular disease, pulmonary disease or old age, but they may be taken into consideration as additional factors.

Steps to Apply:

1. Complete Part A Section 1 and 2 of the application form below.
2. If you are a resident:
   a. Download, print and have an authorized health care professional complete Part B: Medical Information application.
   b. For fastest processing, attach the completed Part B application to this form. Alternatively, you can mail or drop it off to the Niagara Transit Commission 2012 First Street Louth. St Catharines, ON L2S 3V9
3. If you are a medical/health care professional completing this form on behalf of a resident:
   a. Complete Part B: Health Care Professional application below.

An email or letter will be sent once all documentation has been received and the application has been processed. Please be advised that we are experiencing delays in processing applications. Applications will take 10-15 business days to be completed. If you require immediate assistance, please call us directly at 1-833-NTC-LINE (678-5463), and press option 2, and then option 1 when prompted.

Part "A" Personal Information | Section 1

Applicant Personal Information

I hereby certify to the best of my knowledge that the information given in this application is correct. By signing below, I hereby authorize the Niagara Region Transit or their agents to use this application to determine my eligibility by reviewing the information contained herein. I further authorize the Health Care Professional who signed Part “B” of this application to release any information to Niagara Region Transit or their agents for purposes of determining eligibility. In addition, I certify that my consent is freely given to Niagara Region Transit or their agents to share the information contained within this application with other transit service providers for the purpose of providing this service.

By signing below, I am aware that my continued eligibility may be re-assessed by Niagara Region Transit or their agents.

Part "A" Personal Information | Section 2