Bracebridge Mobility

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Bracebridge Mobility Transit Vehicle

Who is Eligible?

Bracebridge Mobility is intended for a person with physical disabilities preventing them from using regular conventional transit (Bracebridge Transit) and unable to walk a distance of 175 meters (approximately 600 feet).

Elderly persons are not automatically eligible for the Mobility Service. Only persons physically unable to walk a distance of 175 meters and board public transit vehicles are eligible for the service.

Blind persons able to board public transit are not automatically eligible for the Mobility Service.

Persons with mental health issues/cognitive disabilities may be eligible for the service if, in addition to the above, they have a physical disability that prevents them from boarding a public transit bus.

Approved clients must reside within the Town of Bracebridge in the Bracebridge Transit Urban Service Area. Bracebridge Mobility will provide service to any person visiting Bracebridge who is a registrant of another accessible system. Visiting clients must provide information regarding their mobility restrictions.

How to Apply?

To register for Bracebridge Mobility, applicants are required to complete an Application Form.

If you require a support person to accompany you on Bracebridge Transit, you may apply for a Support Person Transit Card Application Form which allows someone to travel with you for free in order to assist you during your journey.

Applications are to be returned:

In Person: Municipal Office, 1000 Taylor Court, Bracebridge, ON
Email: transit@bracebridge.ca
Fax: 705-645-7525

Note: Be sure to include the portion that requires a health professional's signature. The application will be reviewed within 14 calendar days of receipt.

If an applicant is approved for service, a letter will be mailed to the address on file, which provides them their registration number, along with an information package providing details on Bracebridge Mobility.

If an applicant is denied service, a letter detailing the reason for denial and the options for available to them to apply will be mailed to the address on file.

Visitors

A visitor to Bracebridge may register with Bracebridge Mobility for a maximum of 4 months providing they meet current Bracebridge Mobility eligibility criteria. A visitor must provide proof of eligibility with another accessible specialized transit system and provide information on their disability and travel needs.

Collection and Use of Information

Personal information, as defined by the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (MFIPPA) is collected under the authority of the Municipal Act, 2001, and in accordance with the provisions of MFIPPA. Personal information on this form will be used by the Town of Bracebridge and its contractor for the purpose of determining eligibility for the Mobility door-to-door service as to ensure the adequate resources are provided at the time of service.

For more information regarding Bracebridge Mobility eligibility, please contact:

Town of Bracebridge at 705-645-8444 or transit@bracebridge.ca

If you have questions about this collection; use, and disclosure of this information, view our Freedom of Information and Privacy page.

Fare Payment

Bracebridge Mobility offers the same fare structure as the Bracebridge Transit Service.

When paying cash, please provide exact fare only.

Riders may pay with a valid easyPASS. Present the pass to the vehicle operator at the time of boarding. The waveCARD is not available for Bracebridge Mobility at this time.

Category	Cash	Monthly Pass
Adult	$2.50	$50.00
Student (ages 6-18)	$2.00	$40.00
Senior (age 65+)	$2.00	$40.00
Children (5 years and under)	Free (with fare-paying adult)	Free (with fare-paying adult)
CNIB Card Holder	Free	Free
Support Person	Free (with fare-paying rider and valid Support Person Transit Card)	Free (with fare-paying rider and valid Support Person Transit Card)

Service Hours

This service operates year-round:

Monday - Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Sunday: Closed
No service provided on New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, August Civic Holiday, Labour Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.

How to Book Your Trip

Booking requests may be made 14 days in advance, and up to 3 hours before the end of service on the day before the preferred day of travel. Same day service is subject to availability. Calls are not answered on Saturday or Sunday, so bookings for Mondays should be arranged by 3:00 p.m. the Friday prior to a Monday trip.

Note: That trips are booked in the order in which they are received, and are on a first call, first schedule basis. The passenger must speak directly with a dispatcher to schedule a new trip, or modify a pre-booked trip.

Name and Client Identification number.
Date of required transportation.
Pick-up address and be specific on the location (i.e. front door)
Drop-off address. Please confirm that the drop-off location is accessible prior to scheduling a ride.
Preferred arrival time.
Return trip information, if required. Please plan adequate time between appointments.
Payment type, cash or easyPASS.
Attendant or companion information. Please view the fares section for information regarding attendant and companion fares.
What mobility device (if any) will be used.
If a service animal will be used.

We will do our best to accommodate same day service and immediate request service, however we cannot guarantee space or availability of service.

If a trip is not available, you may ask to be put on a standby list. A transit representative will call 3 hours before your requested trip, only if your trip can been accommodated.
If we cannot reach you directly, no message will be left on an answering service and the trip will be cancelled. If we cannot accommodate your request, the transit representative will not contact you.

Note: This service does not follow the regular Bracebridge Transit route.

Companions

If a companion, escort or friend will be accompanying you, tell the dispatcher when you make your trip reservation as you must reserve them a seat as well. Remember, they must pay a fare when traveling with you. If you are using a Monthly Pass, the pass is only valid for you, your companion, escort or friend must use their own monthly pass.

Attendants

An Attendant is a care provider required to accompany and provide special assistance for the rider while using Bracebridge Mobility. Customers who cannot be left unattended on the vehicle or at any drop-off location must be accompanied by an Attendant. The Attendant is not required to pay as they ensure the safety and well-being of the client. There is no need to fill out a separate Attendant card application form for Bracebridge Mobility.

Wheelchairs

Our vehicles are able to accommodate wheelchairs that are no larger than 42 inches (106 cm) in length and 30 inches (76 cm) in width. Our vehicles will not be able to accommodate anything larger. Furthermore, our wheelchair lift can only accommodate a maximum of 660 lbs. (273 kg) at a time, therefore, the combined weight of the passenger and wheelchair must not exceed 660 lbs (273 kg). It is important to ensure that your wheelchair is in good repair (i.e. air in tires, brakes). If your wheelchair is deemed unsafe your trip may be refused. When boarding and alighting, passengers using power wheelchairs must position their wheelchairs on the lift with largest wheels toward the vehicle.

Confirmation

You may confirm your trip by calling Bracebridge Mobility's Client Service Centre during business hours. Make a note of your confirmed pick-up time. Notify the Service Provider of any changes to your address, telephone number, emergency contact person, or the size or type of the mobility aid (wheelchair, scooter or walker).

Cancellations

If a passenger needs to cancel a ride, they must contact Bracebridge Mobility's Client Service Centre immediately, 24 hours in advance, and no later than 1 hour prior to the scheduled trip time. Cancellations can be left on the Mobility Service dispatch voicemail. When calling to cancel service, please have the following information available:

Name and Mobility Registration number;
The scheduled date for service;
The scheduled pick-up time; and
Return trip information, if this is also being cancelled.

Same day cancellations up to 60 minutes before your scheduled pick-up time will be subject to a $2.50 "No Show" charge payable the next time Bracebridge Mobility is used.

Pick-up Time

Be available at least 15 minutes before pick-up at a designated accessible entrance. An accessible building entrance/egress door is defined as a door for the pick-up or drop-off of people that does not have:

any steps, when a rider uses a motorized wheelchair or scooter,
more than 2 steps, when a rider uses a manual wheelchair, or
more than 5 steps, when a rider is ambulatory.

Passengers should be ready and waiting at the accessible door (e.g. lobby of apartment building or medical facility 10 minutes prior to the scheduled pick-up time). Please note that the Bracebridge Mobility vehicle can be delayed as a result of traffic and road conditions.

Please have a clear accessible path to your door (even in the winter months). Inaccessible paths may result in a refusal of trip.

Vehicles will only wait 5 minutes for the rider. There are many pick-ups and drop-offs during the day, and if the vehicle is kept waiting, everyone else will be late for their appointments.

If you are more than five (5) minutes late, the vehicle will proceed to the next scheduled ride without you. Customers who are not available at the confirmed time and place, are subject to a "No Show" charge of $2.50 for the missed trip.

Please have your pass or fare ready for the driver.

While in the Vehicle

When travelling, riders must:

wear their seatbelts unless medically excused.
only bring items that they can control while being transported on the vehicle and if the rider is in a wheelchair or scooter, the items shall not interfere with the securing of these mobility aids.
not bring any hazardous items.
carry sufficient medication or supplies in case of a delay.

Drivers:

escort you to and from the vehicle by taking you to the closest accessible door.
secure all belts.
are not required to go up or down stairs, or to carry your parcels and personal effects.
are not required to wait more than 5 minutes past your scheduled pick-up time.
do not search for passengers.
do not report to specific stations at personal care homes or other medical locations to locate a passenger.

Service Animals and Pets

Passengers who require the support of a service animal are permitted to bring their service animal onto the Bracebridge Mobility vehicle. For the safety of all passengers, service animals must be securely leashed and under the care and control of the owner at all times. An operator may ask for confirmation of a service animal certification. When service animals are present, please remember:

Do not distract or interact with the animal. It is a working animal and must pay attention at all times.
Be aware of the service animal and give it enough space, and avoid stepping on or bumping the animal.
Respect the other person's need for the animal.

Note: Non-service animals and pets are not permitted on Bracebridge Mobility vehicles.

Buggies and Large Articles

When there is space and when other passengers will not be affected, shopping buggies and other large articles may be allowed on the vehicle at the operator's discretion. The operator has the authority to refuse such objects at any time that he/she feels safety may be compromised.

Dangerous Items, Materials or Carrying Containers

For the safety of the public, firearms and other weapons are not permitted on Bracebridge Mobility vehicles. Toxic, flammable or hazardous substances or materials are not permitted with the exception of medically necessary materials. Individuals found with these items in their possession may be asked to leave the vehicle. If the item is deemed as a threat to others, the proper authorities will be notified.

Shared-Ride Service

We offer a "shared-ride service" to lower the operating cost of the service.

A shared ride means:

other riders may be on board during the trip,
the travel route may be altered to accommodate other riders, or
the vehicle may stop and pick-up other riders as it travels to your destination.

Bracebridge Mobility cannot always accommodate a rider's personal vehicle preference.

Return Trips

Riders must notify the doctor or medical facility they are visiting that they have a return trip booked and the time the vehicle is scheduled to arrive to take you home. The co-operation of the doctor or the facility will help the service stay on time.

The "No Show" Policy

A "No-Show" is when:

a passenger is not at the pick-up location within 5 minutes of the arrival of the vehicle at the scheduled time,
a passenger no longer wants the ride but has not called the Bracebridge Mobility dispatch office to cancel, or
a client who cancels within 60 minutes of their scheduled pick-up time will also be considered a "No Show".

When a "No Show" occurs, Bracebridge Mobility will automatically cancel the remainder of trips for that day unless we hear from you. You will then be responsible for alternative transportation or if we can accommodate, there may be a lengthy delay. A $2.50 "No Show" charge is payable the next time Bracebridge Mobility is used. A monthly pass cannot be used to pay the "No Show" charge.

A maximum of three "No Shows" in 1 calendar month will result in a letter sent to the passenger as a reminder to call and cancel their trip and to pay any outstanding "No Show" charge.

A second letter will be sent after the fourth "No Show" within the same calendar month, which may result in a 5-day suspension of service.

Rules and Guidelines

Bracebridge Mobility Drivers are responsible for the operation of the bus and administering the rules and regulations that ensure a safe and comfortable ride for all passengers:

No food or drink is permitted on the vehicle.
No playing radios unless using headphones.
No swearing or use of profane or discriminatory language.
No smoking is permitted on the vehicle, and
Shoes and shirts must be worn at all times on the vehicle.

Passengers with mobility devices must maintain such devices in a state of cleanliness. Failure to comply may result in written notice and temporary suspension of service. "No show" fees may apply.

Ensure you keep all personal and health information up-to-date, including your phone number and address.

Lost and Found

All articles found on the vehicle are processed and will then be taken to lost and found at the Operators dispatch location. Processing can take 1-2 business days, therefore we suggest you contact the Bracebridge Mobility's Client Service Centre. Note: due to limited storage space, lost and found items are only held for 30 days.

Vehicles and Mobility Devices

Bracebridge Mobility vehicles

Each mobility vehicle is equipped with seat belts and wheelchair restraint systems. For the safety of all our passengers, passengers must wear seat belts and use the passenger restraint systems provided.

Bracebridge Mobility vehicles are able to accommodate wheelchairs and scooters that are no wider than 86.36 centimetres (34 inches) and no longer than 101.6 centimetres (40 inches). Our vehicles will not be able to accommodate anything larger. Wheelchair lift/ramps can accommodate a maximum of 273 kilograms (600 pounds). Therefore the combined weight of the passenger and wheelchair/scooter must not exceed 273 kilograms (600 pounds).

Mobility devices

Wheelchairs and scooters must be in good condition. To ensure the safety of the driver and of all passengers, Bracebridge Mobility will not provide transportation to passengers using wheelchairs or scooters that are not in good condition.

Please note that in order to protect the safety of all riders, passengers in scooters will be required to transfer from the scooter to a seat in the van. If the scooter cannot be safely loaded and secured, the scooter cannot be transported.