Registration & Eligibility
Who can apply
Persons who are unable to use buses and O‑Train, either some or all of the time.
Eligibility categories
Para Transpo offers three categories of eligibility. The categories align with the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR O. Reg. 191/11) and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005 (AODA).
- Unconditional: A person with a disability that prevents them from using regular buses and the O-Train, also known as conventional transit.
- Temporary: A person with a temporary disability that prevents them from using conventional transit. They only need specialized transit for a defined period of time.
- Conditional: A person with a disability where specific barriers limit their ability to always use conventional transit. This person may be able to use conventional transit for all or part of their trip, but may also qualify for specialized transit under specific circumstances.
Conditional categories include
- Seasonal: Reliant on weather conditions, such as winter or extreme heat events
- Physical barriers: Travel to or from a non‑accessible location
- Variable health conditions: Where the person’s health or destination may determine if a trip is required
- Special / Ticketed events: Where service is needed only for large events where travel on a regular bus / train may be difficult due to large crowds of people.
How to apply
You can drop off your application for Para Transpo in person. Or, you can mail or fax your application:
Ottawa, ON K2A 1S3
Fax: 613‑721‑2151
Contact Lifemark Health Services (613‑218‑8417) to receive your application form by mail.
Return the completed and signed form
Ottawa, ON K2A 1S3
Fax: 613‑721‑2151
| Monday to Thursday | 9 am to 7 pm |
|---|---|
| Friday | 9 am to 5 pm |
Determining eligibility
- Lifemark Health Services is responsible for determining Para Transpo eligibility.
- Lifemark’s qualified health-care professionals review each application to assess an applicant’s functional ability to use conventional transit.
- A decision is made within 14 calendar days after a complete application is received.
- If any information is unclear or incomplete, Para Transpo or Lifemark may contact the applicant or their health care professional for clarification.
- Lifemark may request an in‑person functional assessment if more information is needed to determine eligibility.
Notifying applicants
Lifemark will inform the applicant of their eligibility by mail on our behalf. If a decision has not been made within 14 calendar days of having received a complete application, the applicant will be granted temporary eligibility until such time as a decision can be made.
Once approved for Para Transpo service, it is the customer’s responsibility to inform us of any change in their disability, contact information, or assistive device.
If the applicant is denied eligibility, they have the right to appeal. Information on the appeal process will be sent with the eligibility notification letter.
Emergency or compassionate service
If no accessible transportation is available, we may grant temporary Para Transpo access in under 14 calendar days for:
- Emergencies
- Compassionate grounds
Visitors
Temporary access to Para Transpo is available to:
- Visitors who are eligible for specialized transit in their community
- Who visit Ottawa for less than four weeks per calendar year
If you are visiting Ottawa, please contact Para Transpo for more information on our visitor policy before filling out this form.