Service Animals
Welcome aboard!
Service animals are welcome on board all OC Transpo vehicles, provided their handlers carry:
- Identification from a recognized service-animal training school; or, a
- Provincial government-issued guide dog photo identification card (e.g. Attorney-General of Ontario).
If customers do not have this identification and intend to travel on the bus or O-Train with a service animal, they should obtain a:
- Free OC Transpo-issued Service Animal Card by contacting OC Transpo's Accessibility Specialist. These cards include a photo of the customer and their service animal, and can be shown to the Operator at boarding.
If customers want to travel on Para Transpo with a service animal, they should also contact OC Transpo's Accessibility Specialist to have information on their service animal placed on their Para Transpo customer registration file.
Customers getting a Service Animal Card or registering their animal on Para Transpo will need to provide us with some basic information on the animal and its training, as well as a note or letter from a physician or nurse indicating that they need the service animal for reasons relating to their disability.
For more information on travelling with your service animal, please contact OC Transpo's Accessibility Specialist at 613-842-3636, ext. 2873 (TTY: 613-741-5280).
Riding with a service animal
It is the handlers' responsibility to ensure that their service animals are kept under their supervision and control, and do not block the vehicle's aisle.
Small service animals must be contained in a cage or pouch, or kept on a short leash or harness on their handler's lap.
Larger service animals must be on a leash or harness.
- When possible, large service animals should be placed on the floor between the customers knees sitting up so that the service animal is supported by the person’s legs providing greater stability while the transit vehicle is in motion;
- When possible, customers who are able, should adjust or fold their foot rests while on the bus and have their service animal sit in front of the assistive device, instead on lying down on the floor;
- If a customer is unable to adjust their foot rests, they should have the service animal seated on the side of the assistive device nearest the aisle, as close as possible to the customer and if necessary, have the service animal temporarily seated in front of them while other customers are loading.
Lend Your Card
Not using your PRESTO card? Lend it to someone in the same fare category!
PRESTO - Autoload
Set your PRESTO card to autoload so that you are always good to go!
Rider Respect
Your music may be your neighbour's noise - please consider others.