Accessible on demand transportation has become an absolute nightmare. Wheelchair users in the GTA and travelers visiting from across the world are struggling with the poor service they are receiving from the taxi and vehicle for hire industry. Given that Toronto is the nation’s largest city, this level of neglect toward the disability community is outrageous and uncalled for– we need our independence back with the ability to access equitable transportation like every other resident.   

In 2016, when Uber and other ride sharing companies illegally entered the transportation industry, the disability community readily accepted their services, following their agreement to provide the industry standard of a ten minute on demand accessible service. At the time, there were major frustrations against the taxi industry as they were turning a blind eye to the side business that TTC Accessible Taxi Contractors were engaging in – some of these operators were charging enormous flat rate transportation service to wheelchair users in between TTC rides, taking advantage of the fact that there was no on demand service.  

Moreover, city council had introduced the creation of a new licensing system where a ten minute on demand service would be possible. During these reforms, every taxi service over 500 vehicles was required to provide an equitable and accessible on demand service. UberWAV was born and Lyft introduced an accessible service option too. Accessible transportation became more readily available to those in need, however, following the pandemic, all progress has been shattered, leaving people with disabilities no feasible options to access on demand accessible transportation.  

Today, wheelchair users are rarely able to find an accessible vehicle; whether using a long-standing taxi service like Beck or more modern transportation platforms like Uber or Lyft, we are often met with a disheartening “NO CARS AVAILABLE” notification while we remain stranded in a location for hours, or forced to be waitlisted for days at a time. Accessible transportation has been in this state for almost four years now, with many promises but no sign of improvement despite the growing number of people with disabilities.  

We are asking you to participate in our petition - we need our independence back! We cannot achieve full participation in society if we continue to be treated like second class citizens in the city we call home.  

Recommendations: 

1. Every Taxi and Vehicle for Hire must provide equitable on-demand transportation service to people with disabilities. 

2. The City of Toronto immediately regulate an equitable industry standard for on-demand Taxi and Vehicle for Hire service for people with disabilities. Industry standard on-demand service is approximately ten minutes from ride request to pick-up.  

3. The City of Toronto must ensure that people with disabilities are not incurring additional fees to access Taxi and Vehicle for Hire services that are above and beyond standard fares.