Is Oakville’s Transit System Affordable and Accessible Enough?

Published November 27, 2018 at 3:35 am

For some people, public transit isn’t just convenient–it’s necessary.

For some people, public transit isn’t just convenient–it’s necessary. For those who cannot or choose not to drive, public transportation is paramount, and some transit systems are better than others. 

Let’s talk about Oakville’s transit system, and whether it is affordable and accessible enough? 

There are multiple ways Oakville Transit customers can pay to ride. These options consist of using exact cash, a PRESTO card loaded with funds, an Oakville Transit monthly pass product on a PRESTO card or a valid paper transfer. Special purpose monthly passes and tickets are available for customers with disabilities who use the care-A-van specialized transit service.

Options are not limited when it comes to payment.

But just how much does Oakville’s Transit system cost?

For youth (riders between the ages of six and 19) it costs $3.75 per ride when paying in cash, $2.30 when using a single ride PRESTO, $80 for a PRESTO monthly pass, and $20 for a Youth Freedom PRESTO monthly pass – this pass is valid for unlimited rides after 4 p.m. on weekday evenings, and all day Saturday and Sunday for the month indicated (for more information on this, visit the Town of Oakville website). 

For adults (riders between the ages of 20 and 64) it costs $3.75 per ride when paying in cash, $3.00 when using a single ride PRESTO, and $125 for a PRESTO monthly pass. 

For seniors (riders who are 65 or over) it costs $3.75 per ride when paying in cash, $1.90 when using a single ride PRESTO, and $60 for a PRESTO monthly pass. Seniors can also ride for free on Mondays. 

In addition, the Oakville Transit system offers many services in order to make riding easier. A support person is able to travel for free on buses when accompanying someone with a disability, visually impaired riders can travel for free with their CNIB card.

Subsidized passes for low-income transit riders are also available through the Halton Region’s SPLIT program. 

When it comes to accessibility, there are a number of services available to riders. There are pre-boarding announcements on each bus, digital signs with next stop information on all buses, audio announcements, and large digital signs that provide real-time bus arrivals for four key locations: Sheridan College, the Uptown Core Terminal, and both the Oakville and Bronte GO Stations.

Here’s a look at other accessibility features:

Conventional buses

All Oakville Transit conventional buses have the following features:

  • Low floor
  • Preboarding announcements
  • Digital sign and audio announcements for next stop information
  • Can accommodate two wheelchair/scooter customers at the same time
  • Air-conditioned
  • Entrance and ramp lighting
  • Equipped with one wheelchair/scooter entrance ramp with two-inch wheel safety guards, with warning indicator lamp and auditory warning alarm
  • Kneeling feature which allows the bus to be lowered
  • Passenger signal stop request
  • High color contrast grab bars and stanchions
  • Low glare, anti slip floor covering
  • Fluorescent lighting

care-A-van buses

Oakville care-A-van specialized vehicles are designed especially for para-transit service. They are safe, comfortable and accessible, and include the following features:

  • Low floor
  • Equipped with one wheelchair/scooter entrance ramp with two-inch wheel safety guards
  • Oversized entrance doors to allow for larger-size wheelchairs and scooters
  • Can accommodate up to five wheelchair/scooter passengers at the same time
  • Air-conditioned
  • Entrance and ramp lighting
  • Kneeling feature which allows ramps to be lowered
  • Grab bars, handrails and stanchions
  • Anti-slip floor covering
  • Rub rails
  • Fluorescent lighting
  • Fire suppression system 

Oakville Transit also supports MagnusCards – a free app for people living with autism. 

What do you think of Oakville’s current transit system?

Editor’s Note: A previous version of the article listed the wrong PRESTO prices. The article has since been corrected. We regret the error. 

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