To find out the latest information on Handi-Transit read the Handi-News-Winter 2007

Handi-Transit is a "parallel to Regular Transit service" for people who cannot use the "fixed route" transit system because they are legally blind or have a physical disability that impairs their mobility.

Handi-Transit operates within the same geographical service area of Winnipeg as the "fixed route" public transit system. To make the service cost effective, Handi-Transit operates a pre-book, shared ride service and will have indirect routes at times. However, we try to keep "in vehicle" travel times to a minimum.

We transport individuals who are ambulatory or travel in a wheelchair/scooter. As part of the public transit system, we cannot accommodate specific vehicle type or seating location preferences. Handi-Transit provides door-to-door service and drivers physically assist passengers from the ground floor doorway, to and from the vehicle, to the ground floor doorway at the destination.

Drivers do not ring buzzers/doorbells or search for passengers. Drivers will not provide personal attendant service or supervision during the trip, or place passengers into the hands of someone else at the destination point (i.e., wait for a caregiver to arrive).

Passengers who require assistance during or after a trip should arrange for an attendant to travel with them. Handi-Transit will reserve a seat for an attendant.

Registration is required to use Handi-Transit. For your convenience, the application form is provided in a PDF document below. Detailed instructions are on the first page of the form. The applicant must complete section A (with assistance if required) and Section B must be completed by one of the following health care professionals who has full knowledge of your medical condition(s) influencing your mobility: Chiropractor, Occupational Therapist, Physician, Physiotherapist, and Registered Nurse.

Verification is required by an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist for individuals who are legally blind and do not have a CNIB Registration Number.

The information provided by the health care professional is an important, but not exclusive, part of the application process. Eligibility for Handi-Transit is determined by Transit's assessment of the functional ability of the applicant to use the regular "fixed route" transit system.

Handi-Transit Application Form (full)
Section A of Application Form for visually impaired (to complete on computer)
Application for Extension of Temporary Service (short)
Information Update Form

1) Requires the use of a wheelchair or scooter:

	a) on an ongoing basis - unlimited eligibility
	b) until a specific date - eligibility only until the date specified, or
	c) as a result of dialysis treatment - eligibility only for trips to and from dialysis treatment.

2) Unable to walk 175 metres (575 feet) outside unassisted:

	a) at all times - unlimited eligibility, or
	b) during winter months only - eligibility restricted to the period from October 1st to March 31st, or
	c) until a specific date - eligibility only until the date specified, or
	d) as a result of dialysis treatment - eligibility only for trips to and from dialysis treatment.

3) Legally Blind

	a) Visual impairment of 20 over 200 vision or less
	b) Visual field of less than 20 degrees (legally blind)

Handi Transit Contact Centre

6:30am - 10:00pm (Monday through Friday)

7:30am - 10:00pm (Saturday)

8:30am - 10:00pm (Sunday)

Late night emergencies - 10:00pm - midnight - (Monday through Saturday).

In person customer service:

Monday to Friday: 8:30am to 4:00pm.

Handi-Transit Office, Unit B - 414 Osborne St

Our Vehicles are on the road from:

6:00am - midnight (Monday through Friday)

7:00am - midnight (Saturday)

8:00am - 10:00pm (Sunday)

If you have any concerns about our service please give us a call. Your feedback helps us improve. We investigate all complaints. Of course, we will also be happy to accept commendations.

Complaints & Commendations Phone Line: 986-3462

Or write to us at our new address:
Handi-Transit Customer Complaints & Commendations, Unit B 414 Osborne Street, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3L 2A1

Regular Transit fares apply to Handi-Transit service. A monthly Handi-Transit pass is available at the same price as a regular transit adult buss pass; however, the possession of a monthly pass does not represent any special trip priority or guarantee of service.

You can use Handi-Transit tickets and passes on the regular "fixed route" transit system.

Handi-Transit	2008
Cash	$2.25
Tickets (10)	$19.50
Monthly Pass	$71.25

Trips may be booked up to one week in advance, and until 11:00am the day before you wish to travel. Customers need to have the following information ready when calling to book a trip:

• Your Handi-Transit registration number
• Your pick up address and accessible entrance
• The date you require your trip
• The time you want to arrive at your destination
• The time you want to be picked up for your return trip
• If you will be travelling with an attendant
• If you have changed your mobility aid for the trip

Regular Priority 1 trips (work, medical, post secondary education) at the same time to the same destination (minimum three times a week) can be pre-booked to avoid the need to call daily.

Customers must call back to confirm their trip between 2:00pm and 10:00pm the day before they plan to travel. An automated telephone confirmation system (986-5711) is available until midnight. This system will inform you if we were able to schedule the trip you requested and, if so, the pick-up time. Pick-up times may be a little earlier or later than requested.

If you need help with the Automated Telephone Confirmation System or prefer to speak to a real person, call the Handi-Transit Contact Centre at 986-5722.

A Trip Priority System has been in place since Handi-transit service began. In September 2000, City Council adopted revisions to the trip priorities recommended by Handi-Transit's Policy Advisory Committee (PAC*). We approve trip requests using the following priority system:

• Priority 1:
  • Work
  • Medical
    • Dialysis, chiropractor, podiatrist, Medical Doctor or Dentist appointment
  • Education
    • Post secondary- certificate, diploma, degree
  • Therapy
    • As prescribed by a Medical Professional (medical doctor, occupational therapist, physiotherapist, nurse, chiropractor).

When demand exceeds vehicle availability, priority is given to people travelling in a wheelchair/scooter.

* The PAC is comprised of Handi-Transit users and representatives from organizations working on behalf of persons with disabilities. The mandate of the PAC is to review and provide input/advice to the Standing Policy Committee on Infrastructure Renewal and Public Works on service policies and accessibility issues pertaining to public transportation for persons with physical disabilities being recommended by the Transit administration.

No Shows cause inconvenience to other customers and waste our limited resources. Our goal is to improve our service for all customers.

We record a Customer No Show on your file when:

• You cancel the trip less than 30 minutes before the scheduled pick-up time
• You are not waiting just inside your door on the ground level of your building at the pick-up time
• You are not waiting at the pick-up point for your return journey
• You are not ready to leave at the pick-up time (even if the delay is caused by a caregiver)
• You refuse the ride when it arrives
• You have more parcels than you can hold on your lap
• You have not had the walk shovelled at your residence in winter

We charge for No Shows during each six-month period as follows:

Customers using Handi-Transit must:

• Book and confirm their trips
• Call the Handi-Transit Cancel Line (986-5733) as soon as possible if cancelling a trip
• Wait at the designated ground floor doorway of the building five minutes before their scheduled pick-up time
• Arrange for special assistance if it is required while travelling or at their destination
• Call the Handi-Transit Contact Centre (986-5722) if the Handi-Transit vehicle is late for a pick-up (more than 10 minutes) so staff can find out why there is a delay
• Limit parcels to what a person can reasonably carry on their lap
• Allow the driver to fix their wheelchair firmly in position in a manner that conforms to all government securement regulations
• Wear the vehicle seatbelt provided (including shoulder strap)

Attendant: A person who travels with a Handi-Transit registrant to provide assistance during or after the trip. The Handi-Transit registrant may require an attendant for every trip or only some trips.

• We accommodate one attendant on a trip (permanent or temporary)
• Attendants must pay the Handi-Transit fare

Companion: A person who travels with a Handi-Transit registrant for social reasons. The Handi-Transit registrant is capable of taking the trip without the companion.

• "Companions may travel with a Handi-Transit registrant when there is room on the vehicle (determined once the schedule is produced - 2:00 p.m. the day prior)
• Companions must pay the Handi Transit fare

Child: A person less than 16 years of age

• Children are welcome to travel with a Handi-Transit registrant when room is available
• Children over four years of age must pay the Handi-Transit fare
• Appropriate car seat/booster seat for small children must be provided by the registrant

• In 2006, Handi-Transit provided 590,838 trips
• In 2006, Handi-Transit was unable to provide 6,840 trip requests
• In 2006, 10,632 customers did not show for their trip
• Customers cancel approximately 23% of all trip requests
• Approximately 67% of all Handi-Transit trips are Priority 1, 21% are Priority 2, and 12% are Priority 3
• Approximately 70% of Handi-Transit trips are ambulatory passengers, 30% are passengers using a wheelchair/scooter
• On an average weekday, Handi-Transit provides approximately 2,060 trip requests
• Handi-Transit receives over 3,000 applications each year

We are always trying to improve the service we provide. However, there are some ways our customers can help us provide better service to all Handi-Transit passengers.

Pick up Time Be ready five minutes before your pick-up time. Late pick ups add up throughout the day resulting in delays for all Handi-Transit customers.

Trip Cancellations Customers cancel about 23 per cent of all scheduled trips. We understand that sometimes last minute cancellations are unavoidable; however, many of the cancellations that Handi-Transit receives need not be last minute. *Trips can be cancelled when the contact centre is closed by leaving a message on our voice mail. (986-5733)*

Changes in your Mobility Device Let us know if you alter your mobility aids. Notifying us of changes ensures we send the right vehicle for your trip; a larger wheelchair may mean we need to book a larger vehicle to carry you.

To view previous issues of the handi-news click on the issue you would like to read below.

Handi-News-Summer 2006
Handi-News-October 2005
Handi-News-July 2005
Handi-News-March 2005