Bracebridge Mobility

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 metres (approximately 600 feet).

Elderly persons are not automatically eligible for the Mobility Service. Only persons physically unable to walk a distance of 175 metres 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.

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.

Service Area

Approved clients must reside within the Urban Centre Boundary of the Town of Bracebridge

• Northen Limit - 926 Manitoba Street (MR 4)
• Eastern Limit - 1086 Taylor Road
• Southern Limit - 1711 Winhara Road
• Western Limit - Stagecoach Road

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: Transit Branch of the Public Works Department - Municipal Office, 1000 Taylor Court, Bracebridge, ON
• Email: transit@bracebridge.ca
• Fax: 705-645-7525

Note: Once received, the application will be reviewed within 14 calendar days and notification of eligibility will be sent to you. Please note that an incomplete application cannot be processed and will result in delays.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Be available at least 15 minutes before pick-up at a designated accessible entrance. An accessible building entrance or 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 15 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.

Riders

• 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.

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.

For the comfort of all passengers, please avoid the use of perfumes, scented soaps and lotions while riding Bracebridge Mobility. 

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.

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.

Bracebridge Mobility Drivers are responsible for the operation of the vehicle 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.

Bracebridge Transit is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged bus passes. The owner is responsible for replacing these items at their expense.

All lost items that are found by transit staff will be kept up to 30 days. If you believe you lost an item on the mobility vehicle, contact Bracebridge Transit Customer Service at 705-645-8444.

Bracebridge Mobility Vehicle

The Bracebridge Mobility vehicle can accommodate:

• 5 ambulatory patrons maximum with no wheelchairs; or
• 3 ambulatory patrons maximum with 2 wheelchairs.

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.