ACCESSIBLE TRANSPORTATION and parking

The Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) receives many inquiries about accessible transportation in the Port Hope area.  In an effort to increase public awareness regarding accessible transportation opportunities in Port Hope, the following is a synopsis of the most common questions and how Port Hope responds to the needs of persons with disabilities.

Municipal Transit

The Municipality of Port Hope offers transit services within the urban area of the Municipality including service to Cobourg's Northumberland Mall, Walmart, and Northumberland Hills Hospital.  The transit system operates an accessible low-floor bus.

Check schedules and routes under Resident Services or by clicking here or contact Port Hope Transit 905-885-2431 or contact Coach Canada at 905-885-9419.

There is no charge for a caregiver or attendant who travels with a disabled person on Port Hope's transit system.

ROLLS Service

The Municipality of Port Hope contracts with Burt Transportation Service to operate specialized vehicles outfitted to accommodate eligible persons with disabilities.  The ROLLS program provides door-to-door service for qualified passengers.  The service operates Monday to Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.   Last bookings are 4:30 p.m. for wheelchair users and 4:45 p.m. for walk-on passengers.  Residents are encouraged to contact Burt Transportation Service at 1-877-284-RIDE (7433) or on-line at www.thebtsnetwork.com to make appropriate reservations to access the service.  Bookings 24 hours in advance is recommended. Out-of-town visitors who need accessible transportation, provided they are registered elsewhere, may use the Port Hope system.

TO REGISTER for the ROLLS service, a form must be completed by a health care practitioner (e.g., case manager, chiropractor, occupational therapist, physician, physiotherapist, social service agency, visiting nurse) and submitted by the applicant to the Town Hall at 56 Queen Street, marked to the attention of Public Works.  Eligibility may be established on a temporary or permanent basis.  For information about registration, call Port Hope Public Works Department at 905-885-2431.  At this time the service is available in Ward 1 only.  Please allow 4-6 weeks to process your application. 

To complete the application form click here.

Accessible Taxi Service

The closest municipal accessible taxi service is Van Taxi.  As a regular taxi service, it is available to Port Hope residents at any time.  Residents are invited to contact Van Taxi at 905-373-8850 for reservations and fares.

Aging @ Home Van

Community Care Northumberland operates the Aging @ Home Van, an accessible transportation service for eligible residents of west Northumberland (Cramahe, Alnwick/Haldimand, Hamilton, Cobourg, Port Hope) who require limited assistance from the driver.  Priority is given to those with no current access to accessible public/specialized transportation services.

The van provides transportation for various purposes, with priority given to medical appointments.  It can accommodate up to two wheelchairs or a scooter, in addition to passengers.  Wheel base is limited to 28" and weight restrictions may apply.  The driver assists passengers in boarding and getting off the bus.  Fares vary according to distance and wait time, and attendants or caregivers travel free of charge.  Service animals are welcome.

Clients are assessed and registered (no cost) by Community Care Port Hope.  For further details contact Community Care at 905-885-0466 or toll free at 1-877-800-0466 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Accessible Parking Permits

Eligible individuals do not need to own a car of have a driver's licence in order to apply for an accessible parking permit.  Permits are issued to individuals, not vehicles.

A regulated health practitioner (for this purpose, a licensed physician, chiropractor, nurse practitioner [extended class], physiotherapist or occupational therapist) must complete the medical section of the application.

Accessible Parking Permits are issued to out-of-province visitors for a maximum of six (6) months.

Residents my contact the Driver and Vehicle Licence Issuing Office, 58 Queen Street, Port Hope, at 905-885-7400 for more information or attend the Licensing office to obtain the form.

Parking in Downtown Port Hope

There are designated handicapped free parking spaces in downtown Port Hope for vehicles displaying valid accessible parking permits issued by the Licensing office.  These areas are kept clear of snow in winter.

If there are no permit parking spaces available, vehicles displaying permits may park in other spaces without charge.  Drivers should avoid parking in areas where parking is expressly forbidden.  Permits may only be used if the person with a disability is in the vehicle at the time of parking.

Hospital Parking

Northumberland Hills Hospital provides four accessible parking spots (metered) on the roundabout directly outside the front entrance and two drop-off zones (two on either side of the dialysis entrance and two next to the front entrance).  There is also permit parking on the roundabout for Community Care drivers.  click here to see the news release regarding the changes in accessible parking.

VIA Rail Train Service

VIA Rail operates services across Canada.  Wheelchair access is available at the Cobourg station.  VIA prefers that passengers using wheelchairs be accompanied, but may waive this requirement.  Caregivers or attendants may be able to travel at no charge with a letter from a doctor stating that the person with the disability is not to travel alone and the reasons for the requirement of an escort.  Please note there is only one space available for wheelchair users on the train, and reservations are required 48 hours in advance.  Contact VIA at 1-888-VIA-RAIL (1-888-843-7245) or 1-800-268-9503 TDD, or visit the web site at http://www.viarail.ca.