Item - 2025.TTC2.2

The Toronto Transit Commission received the Approved Minutes of the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit (ACAT) General Monthly Meeting of December 16, 2024 for information.

The Chair of the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit delivered a verbal presentation on the Approved Minutes of the Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit (ACAT) General Monthly Meeting of of December 16, 2024.

The Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit (ACAT) is forwarding the approved minutes of its General monthly meeting of December 16, 2024 to the February 2025 Board Meeting for information. At the December meeting TTC staff presented information about the TTC’s Interim Wayfinding Strategy, provided updates about the PRESTO Support Person Card, staff availability at station fare gates, and efforts to address fare evasion. Two possible solutions are being considered for the Support Person Assistance Card: allowing a customer to hand back their card for the support person to use or issuing a separate card for the support person. The TTC CEO also welcomed and recognized incoming and outgoing ACAT members and pool members.

The following is a summary of the main topics discussed at the December ACAT Subcommittee meetings:

Communications Subcommittee
• Temporary accessibility measures to ensure customers have accessible connections to areas around TTC stations that are not yet accessible while work to install elevators continues. Proposed shuttle routes include the new Etobicoke 149 and hours will be extended for 13A Avenue Road and 97C Yonge routes

Design Review Subcommittee
• Minimum side platform width for Scarborough Subway Extension stations and concerns about whether the narrower width would accommodate full trains exiting and requiring emergency exits and if the width complies with the Ontario Building Code (OBC). TTC staff confirmed that the design complies with the OBC and should be sufficient to accommodate the full train occupant load expected at stations. The minimum platform width does not comply with TTC standards. The Subcommittee suggested considering seat relocation in the narrow platform areas.
• Feedback from the Public Forum on Accessible Transit held in September 2024. Design-related items from the feedback will be discussed at future meetings, including the possibility of having accessibility stickers inside vehicles to assist customers with disabilities disembark; reviewing stop request buttons and seat heights on new buses; and reviewing plexiglass dividers as communication with drivers may be difficult at times.

Service Planning Subcommittee
• The 2025 Annual Service Plan, key focus areas, proposed route adjustments and the One Fare program. Members asked about agencies that do not use PRESTO and requested further information about service details for Thorncliffe Park, Woodbine Racetrack and East York Acres seniors home.
• Feedback from the Public Forum on Accessible Transit held in September 2024. The Subcommittee discussed comments about educating customers and Operators about priority seating, Community Bus service, and bus stop relocation during station construction.

Wheel-Trans Operations Subcommittee
• Stops and landmarks. Stops continue to be updated based on customer and Operator feedback. TTC staff reminded the Subcommittee about reduced pick up and drop off locations at malls during December and January due to traffic during the holiday season.