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The transit stop announcements inquiry

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In Fall 2007, the Commission contacted transit providers to inform them about these recent developments, request information about current stop announcement practices, and to recommend that they take steps to avoid complaints and improve accessibility by developing plans to quickly implement stop announcements.

In October 2007, the Commission sent out a letter to providers of standard public transit systems [5] across the province, and issued a press release announcing the initiative. This mailing was copied to the Ontario Public Transit Association (OPTA) and a number of other transit sector organizations and disability community stakeholders. The Commission provided copies of the Lepofsky decision, the Commission’s submission on the AODA Draft Transit Standard, and related press releases. [6]

In the letter, the Commission requested that transit services provide information detailing:

  • whether they were currently and consistently announcing all stops
  • any policies and/or practices currently in place for announcing stops
  • steps taken to make sure the policy or practice is carried out.

The Commission requested that, if organizations were not currently and consistently announcing all stops, they take the opportunity to develop plans to improve accessibility through stop announcements, as set out in the Lepofsky decision. The Commission requested that transit services provide information about:

  • their intentions for announcing all stops
  • steps they had taken and would take to make sure all stops are announced
  • timelines for implementation.

Over the winter, the Commission had discussions with many transit providers. Some clarifications were requested, and a number of organizations provided more information.

The Commission stated that it will take all necessary steps, including initiating complaints if required, to make sure that Ontario’s transit providers meet their statutory obligations under the Code. By meeting the level of service set out in Lepofsky, transit services can ensure that persons with visual disabilities have greater, more consistent and more dignified access to public transit across the province.


[5] Due to the focus of this inquiry on the principles of broad accessibility and inclusion, specialized door-to-door transit services for elderly persons and people with disabilities were not contacted.
[6] These documents can be found on the Commission’s Web site at www.ohrc.on.ca/en/resources/news/ttcxs

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