City of Ottawa Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund Consultation. Information Package for Registered Participants

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1 Introduction The following information package explains what the Vehicle-for-Hire (VFH) Accessibility Fund is and why the is seeking feedback from the public. This document contains important information for participants regarding the scope of the project and the consultations. How was the Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund established? On April 13, 2016, City Council approved the report entitled Regulating Vehicles for Hire in the Taxis, Limousines and Private Transportation Companies. As part of its deliberations, Council delegated authority to the General Manager (GM), Emergency and Protective Services (EPS), to establish a voluntary per-trip surcharge for accessibility to be paid by licensed Private Transportation Companies (PTCs), with any funds received from the surcharge to be directed to a dedicated reserve fund. In July 2017, the entered into an agreement with Uber Canada Inc. (hereinafter referred to as Uber ), who agreed to pay a voluntary accessibility surcharge of $0.07 per-trip to support accessible transportation in the. This voluntary gesture took effect with the licensing of Uber on October 4, Currently, Uber is the only licensed Private Transportation Company (PTC) in the city of Ottawa that is contributing to the Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund. The will approach any new PTCs to establish a voluntary per-trip surcharge for accessibility as they become licensed to operate in Ottawa. Are the funds guaranteed? Since October 4, 2016, when Uber first became licensed to operate in the city of Ottawa, they have contributed more than $450,000 to the Vehicle-for-Hire (VFH) Accessibility Fund. This money is secured in a dedicated reserve fund. In the absence of legislation to support a mandatory accessibility levy for Private Transportation Companies (PTCs), contributions from Uber, or any new PTCs licensed to operate Ottawa, remain voluntary. Further, the accessibility surcharge is applied pertrip; therefore, may fluctuate from month to month depending on the number of trips completed. 1

2 What process will be used to determine how money from the Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund will be spent? The VFH Accessibility Fund (VFH) aims to address the reality that many Private Transportation Companies (PTCs), such as Uber, cannot currently accommodate persons who use mobility devices including power wheelchairs and scooters. The will consider all feedback and ideas, however, as per Council s direction, money from the Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund must be spent on programs and services that support accessible transportation in the city of Ottawa. For the purpose of the Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund project and related consultations, these programs and services may include: Accessible transportation services provided directly by wheelchair accessible vehicles such as OC Transpo, Para Transpo and taxis; and/or City and community-based programs and services that support or enhance the ability of persons of all ages with physical disabilities who require the use of a mobility device to move around the city regardless of the mode(s) of transportation used. Further, ideas on how to spend money in the VFH Accessibility Fund must: Align with the amount of money available in the Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund. Align with at least one of the following six Guiding Principles: 1. Accessible: Programs and services that support and/or provide transportation services, within the city of Ottawa, to persons of all ages who have physical disabilities that require the use of a power wheelchair or scooter to meet daily transportation needs. 2. Safe: Programs and services that further enhance the personal safety of individuals with mobility disabilities while using accessible public transportation services in the city of Ottawa. 3. Available: Programs and services that promote or enhance the availability of accessible transportation services for persons with mobility disabilities 2

3 across all areas of the City, including rural zones and are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 4. Affordable: Programs and services aimed at ensuring that public transportation costs for individuals for persons with mobility disabilities is equal to or less transportation costs for individuals who do not have disabilities. 5. Timely: Programs and services aimed at ensuring individuals with mobility disabilities are able to access public transportation services in a timely manner (on-demand) that is comparable to services available to all other customers. 6. Sustainable: Programs and services that the City is able to implement and maintain using available resources including funds, information, and staff resources. Who will make the final decision on how the Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund will be spent? On April 13, 2016, Council delegated authority to the General Manager (GM), Emergency and Protective Services (EPS), to establish a Steering Committee to develop a consultation strategy with respect to how new fees generated through the Vehicle-for-Hire (VFH) Accessibility Fund could be used to offset costs for a number of programs supporting accessible transportation. The VFH Accessibility Fund Steering Committee, chaired by the GM, EPS, is comprised of members from the City s Accessibility Office, the Accessibility Advisory Committee, By-law & Regulatory Services, Transportation Services, and Councillor Qadri, as the Council liaison. All feedback received through the Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund consultation process will reviewed and assessed by the Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund Steering Committee. In June 2018, the GM, EPS will provide recommendations in a staff report to the Community and Protective Services Committee and Council for their consideration and final approval. 3

4 Accessible Transportation Services and Programs The following section provides examples of current services and programs offered in Ottawa that directly or indirectly support accessible transportation. Direct service provision is defined as providing a specific service to meet a particular need; in this case, providing transportation to residents of the city of Ottawa. Indirect service provision can be defined as supporting a service, program or delivery of a direct service. This information is provided for your knowledge and awareness but is not intended to limit your ideas. The Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund may be used to offset costs associated with the following examples of programs that support accessible transportation, however, all feedback and ideas are welcome and will be considered in the decision-making process to determine how the money will be spent. Examples of Direct Service Provision of Accessible Transportation: Table 1 provides an overview of accessible transportation services provided by the City. Table 1: Direct Service by the City Service Provider Service Features Para Transpo Service available from 5:30 a.m. to 1:00 a.m., daily. An alternative door-to-door service for customers who are unable to take conventional transit (bus or O-Train) some or all of the time due to a disability. Para Transpo provides service using mini-buses, contracted accessible taxis which can accommodate anyone who has a disability (with or without a mobility device) and standard sedan cars for those whose disability does not require them to use a mobility device, within the urban and rural areas of the City of Ottawa (2796 square km) and to the Hull sector of Gatineau. Provides more than 800,000 customer trips annually. This means that more than 3000 trips are provided on an average weekday, on more than 190 different runs. An average of 1.5% of all Para Transpo trips requested each year are refused. Since May 2017, no trips have been refused that are booked at least one day in advance. Registered customers can reserve Para Transpo service in two ways: by making a demand booking (booking a trip the day 4

5 Service Provider Service Features before it is required); or by registering for a subscription booking (making the same trip between the same locations, at the same time each day or each week, such as travelling to school or to work). Customers travelling with mobility devices can call at 7am daily to request a trip whereas those travelling without mobility devices can begin requesting trips at 9am. Information sessions to discuss changes to Para Transpo and the possible future implementation of an online booking system are taking place in January OC Transpo: Service available from 4:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., with some routes Conventional Bus offering 24/7 service. 100% of the fleet is serviced by low-floor, kneeling buses equipped with ramps. Cooperative seating near the front of the bus for persons with disabilities and other customers who may have difficulty standing on a moving bus. Two designated spaces onboard all buses for customers travelling with mobility devices are located near the front of the bus. Optional stability belts are located in the accessible spaces. "Stop request" buttons are located in each accessible seating space to request a stop. Once pushed, the operator will receive a signal that indicates the ramp is needed. The Next Stop Announcement System (NSAS) automatically detects the bus's position via GPS, a tone is sounded, and the upcoming stop is announced audibly in both official languages as the bus departs from the previous stop. The NSAS display inside the bus visually shows the route number and destination, the upcoming stop, and the time of day in a bilingual format. When a passenger requests a stop, the display shows a checkmark:. This confirms that the bell has been rung and the bus will make the next stop. Be sure to ring the bell yourself if you need to get off at the next stop. Exterior bus announcements, which are made from speakers located beside the front door of each bus, audibly announce the 5

6 Service Provider OC Transpo: O-Train Trillium Line OC Transpo: O-Train Confederation Line Service Features route and destination of the bus. These announcements assist those who have difficulty seeing or reading the bus destination sign, and make it easier for customers to confirm that they are boarding the correct bus, especially at stops and platforms served by multiple routes. Service available from 6:00 a.m. to midnight, daily. Accessible entrances at both ends of the platform for easy boarding. Cooperative seating near the train's entrances for persons with disabilities and for those who may have a hard time standing on a moving train. Two designated spaces for persons with mobility devices just inside each entrance. Automatic visual display and audible announcement of next stops inside the train. Rail fleet door entrances are level with station platforms. Not yet operational. The new Confederation Line will open in It will provide east-west service from Blair Station to Tunney's Pasture Station. Confederation Line trains will have 14 double doors and will provide low-floor access that is level with the station platform for customers using mobility devices. Clearly marked cooperative seating areas will be located beside each doorway, providing a designated space for people using mobility aids, as well as bicycles, strollers and other large items. Door controls and intercoms on the train will be located at heights accessible to all. Confederation Line stations have also been designed to ensure full access for customers using mobility devices. Station accessibility features will include: dual elevators at all 13 stations connecting each train platform to the station entrance; power doors; accessible ramps and interior paths of travel; and, accessible fare gates to accommodate customers using mobility devices each with two card readers at different heights 6

7 Service Provider Service Features enabling customers to choose the reader that works best for them. At four stations, fully accessible public washrooms will be provided. Table 2 provides an overview of accessible transportation service providers provided by other service providers. Table 2: Direct Service by Other Agencies Service Provider Private Transportation Companies (PTCs) Service Features Service generally available 24/7, upon request. On-demand service ordered using an application or telecommunications platform through which ones fare is paid in advance. Uber Canada Inc. was licensed to operate in Ottawa on October 4, 2016, including UberASSIST. Uber Canada offers UberASSIST which is a vehicle option that offers additional assistance to members of the older adult and disability communities. o UberASSIST can accommodate customers travelling with collapsible scooters, folding wheelchairs and walkers only as they are not equipped with a ramp or lift. o Driver partners are trained and by accredited trainers about how best to provide assistance to older adults and customers who require assistance with mobility to access the vehicle such as such as how to help transfer riders safely from wheelchair to the car. o The geographic distribution of trips is similar to that of trips provided through standard Uber trips primarily weekday trips to and from downtown during the morning and afternoon rush hour. In November 2017, 497 UberAssist drivers provided at least one trip. 7

8 Service Provider Wheelchair Accessible taxicabs (On-demand) Service Features PTCs Teslift and Ecorides are also licensed to operate in Ottawa, however, neither company can provide service to customers who have a physical disability that requires them to use a power wheelchair or scooter. Service available 24/7, upon request. There are currently 189 licensed, accessible-plated vehicles in operation, of which are dedicated to ParaTranspo, with the remaining operating as on-demand. Licensed accessible taxis must be in service a minimum of ten (10) hours a day, five (5) days a week except where the accessible taxicab is being serviced for valid mechanical reasons. Licensed accessible taxi plate holders shall provide accessible taxicab service on a priority basis to any person with a disability who requests such service. o A licensed accessible taxi plate holder is deemed to have failed to provide accessible taxicab service on a priority basis when one or more of the licensed accessible taxicab drivers operating the taxicab upon which the licensee s taxi plate is affixed fails to provide accessible taxicab service on more than one occasion within a six (6) month period. Licensed accessible taxicabs must be configured at all times to transport a minimum of one standard motorized wheelchair or scooter without having to reconfigure vehicle equipment or remove passenger seats to accommodate such wheelchair or scooter. Accessible taxicabs are permitted to, and do, accept standard passengers/fares. Programs and Services that Support Accessible Transportation The programs and/or services identified in Table 3 are offered by the and are included as they support accessible transportation by: supporting affordability, ensuring accessible transportation planning, 8

9 ensuring accessibility features that support safe pedestrian travel, and offering options for rural residents. Table 3: Indirect Service Provision Service Provider Service Features Para Transpo: Taxi The Taxi Coupon Program allows registered Para Transpo Coupon Program customers to take discounted taxi service as an alternative to Para Transpo. You can book your trip - at your convenience, with participating Ottawa taxi companies and save 40% off the regular taxi fare. The cost is $24 for a coupon book worth $40 in taxi fares. Each book has a selection of $1, $2, and $5 coupons. For customers who are blind or visually impaired, the coupons are identified with hole punches for the different values. An eligible customer can buy up to four coupon books each month. Coupons are not refundable and lost or stolen coupons will not be reimbursed. Coupons are for the sole use of the Para Transpo customer who buys them. They cannot be resold or given to anyone else. Anyone who abuses this policy will be ineligible to participate in the program. The City spends approximately $300,000 annually to subsidize trips provided through this program. Traffic Services: Installs accessible pedestrian signals that use audible, tactile, Accessible vibro-tactile and visual signage to assist all pedestrians, Pedestrian Signals including those who are blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind. Consistent with Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) standards and Accessibility Design Standards (ADS), these devices are installed at accessible heights to ensure persons using mobility devices can easily reach them. Traffic Services: Retrofits existing traffic signals and install new traffic signals with Pedestrian pedestrian countdown signals. These signals improve safety by Countdown Signals providing customers using mobility and assistive devices with additional information on how much time they have to cross the intersection safely. 9

10 Service Provider Traffic Services: Pedestrian Crossovers Transportation Planning: Local Pedestrian Improvements Transportation Planning: Inclusive Public Engagement Community Funding Service Features Installs pedestrian crossovers, which allow pedestrians to cross streets in locations where no crossings existed before. These crossovers, identified by specific signs, pavement markings and depressed curbs, make it easier and safer for residents to get around their own neighbourhoods, and in many cases, safely reduce walking distances for those using mobility devices. Plans localized pedestrian improvements (delivered by the Infrastructure Services) such as sidewalks and intersection ramps, which serve all pedestrians (including those who use a mobility device). Ensures consultation activities conducted for planning studies and projects are accessible to persons who use a mobility device. Duty to consult: Consults with the City s Accessibility Advisory Committee as per Provincial AODA regulations (i.e., when proposing making major changes to existing on-street parking spaces). The City provides a total of $606,000 to three rural agencies each year to deliver transportation services to seniors and customers with disabilities. They also provide rural-to-rural trips for customers using vehicles that can accommodate wheelchairs. Funded service providers are: o Rural Ottawa South Support Services o Western Ottawa Community Resource Centre and o Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre Community Programs The City acknowledges that the community also provides accessible transportation services. There are multiple public and private transportation services offered within the city of Ottawa, many of which are focused on providing support to attend medical facilities and services. These alternative service models range from providing volunteer drivers to providing service for a fee. While these alternatives fill an important need; only a small 10

11 portion of the available services can truly be considered alternatives to the direct or mainstream accessible transportation service providers identified above as they have wheelchair accessible vehicles. Definitions Accessible Transportation: For the purpose of the Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund, accessible transportation refers to the ability to provide transportation services, within the city of Ottawa, to persons of all ages who have physical disabilities that require the use of a power wheelchair or scooter to meet daily mobility and transportation needs. Private Transportation Companies (PTCs): A motor vehicle with a capacity to carry a maximum of six passengers, plus the driver, that is used to provide transportation services that are offered or facilitated by the PTC. The majority of PTCs are smartphone-enabled, ride-hailing services that use private vehicles of operators to transport passengers. Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund: A dedicated reserve fund for voluntary contributions received from licensed Private Transportation Companies (PTCs) in the, such as Uber Canada Inc., who cannot provide service to customers who have a physical disability that requires them to use a mobility device such as a power wheelchair or scooter. The Vehicle-for-Hire Accessibility Fund aims to address the reality that many PTCs cannot currently accommodate persons who use mobility devices including power wheelchairs and scooters. Vehicle-for-Hire: Vehicle-for-Hire (VFH) means a motor vehicle that is used by a person to offer, facilitate or operate a transportation service of a passenger for compensation, and includes a taxicab, limousine or Private Transportation Company (PTC) vehicle. 11