Mobility On-Request

Paratransit News

DEAR TRAVELLERS:I know many of you are looking forward to life becoming normal again. The current trend in declining active COVID-19 cases is encouraging, but we must all continue to take public health measures seriously and protect the most vulnerable in our community. Please continue to practice physical distancing of at least 2 metres, practice good hand hygiene and wear a non-medical face mask or covering where required.

If you need to travel, Mobility On-Request (MOR) is always here to help you get to where you need to go. All our vehicles go through an extensive cleaning protocol three times per day. All drivers are provided with and must wear personal protective equipment. Wearing a non-medical face mask or covering is now mandatory on public transit. More details on these extensive health and safety measures are in this newsletter.

If you are going to a medical appointment please make sure you are familiar with their waiting room protocol and let them know you are taking public transit. Most waiting rooms are now closed to the public and we do not want to see any of our passengers outside standing in the elements waiting for a vehicle.

If you have any questions contact us and we will do our best to help you. If you have any questions regarding COVID-19, visit york.ca/covid19 or call York Region Public Health at 1-800-361-5653. Until we talk again, please stay safe and look after yourself.

SharonManager YRT Mobility On-Request

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NEW BOOKING PROCESS TO ENSURE YOUR SAFETYFor the safety of our staff and travellers we’ve implemented some changes to our booking process. We are only booking trips up to two days in advance and you must call us to book it. Our Contact Centre staff will ask you the following questions:

> Do you currently have COVID-19?

> Have you travelled to any international countries including the United States in the past 14 days?

> Have you been in recent contact with anyone that has contracted COVID-19?

> Have you been in recent contact with anyone who has shown symptoms similar to that of COVID-19? Symptoms include fever, tiredness, dry cough and sore throat

> Have you recently experienced any of the following symptoms: Fever, tiredness, dry cough or sore throat?

If you answer no to all of the above questions your trip is then booked.

We are scheduling three passengers per vehicle, depending on its size, to maximize the distance between passengers. If you wish to travel with a companion please call us on the same day of travel. We will do our best to accommodate you in a larger vehicle.

As ridership increases, we cannot guarantee physical distancing in the vehicles. In September you will have the opportunity to call up to one hour prior to your scheduled trip to ask staff if you are ride sharing with other customers. At that time you will be able to cancel your trip with no late cancellation policy in place.

To book a trip please call us at 1-866-744-1119. The Contact Centre is closed on weekends and statutory holidays. If you require a trip on Monday, please ensure you call the Friday prior. The after-hours line will be available to customers who are travelling and for cancellations.

WHAT WE’RE DOING TO KEEP YOU AND OUR STAFF SAFEThe safety of our travellers, drivers and staff is our top priority. In response to COVID-19 we’ve implemented various safety measures and service changes to help keep yourself and others protected while riding with us. We are doing everything we can to support Public Health efforts and keep you safe.

Non-medical face masks or coverings are mandatoryThis is to help keep everyone safe. YRT and other transit agencies cannot guarantee physical distancing.

Driver personal protective equipment (PPE)All Mobility On-Request drivers must wear a face mask while transporting customers. Plastic sleeves that go as far as the driver’s elbow have been distributed to protect both the driver and customer when escorting. If your driver is not wearing proper PPE please call the Contact Centre at 1-866-744-1119.

All YRT and Viva drivers have been provided with face masks and other PPE. Please note drivers do not need to wear a face mask while behind the barrier on the bus.

All drivers have been provided with hand sanitizer for their personal use.

Vehicle and facility cleanlinessParatransit vehicles:All drivers must clean their vehicle three times a day. A checklist is given to the driver, which is signed off including date and time of cleaning. Vehicle audits are conducted by the Mobility On-Request Inspectors. If the driver cannot provide the list, or fails to fill it out, the vehicle is immediately taken out of service.

YRT and Viva buses:Buses are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected at the end of every service day, with a focus on high-touch surfaces such as poles, seats and handles. Buses also receive an additional cleaning every time they return back to the garage throughout the day.

YRT facilities:Terminals and rapidway stations are cleaned and disinfected daily, and curbside vivastations are cleaned and disinfected weekly with a focus on high-touch surfaces.

Use PRESTO or the YRT Pay appTo help protect yourself and others we encourage the use of contactless forms of payment including PRESTO and the YRT Pay app. These methods also provide discounted fare prices rather than paying with cash.

Keep a 2-metre distance from othersWhere possible, please keep a 2-metre distance from others while on the bus, or at stops and terminals.

Practice good hand hygieneWash your hands with soap and water thoroughly and often. Carry personal disinfectant with you while you travel, such as hand sanitizer or wipes. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.

Travel at off-peak timesConsider travelling during off-peak times such as middays or weekends when our services may not be as busy.

Board all YRT and Viva buses by the front, exit at the backTravellers must now board all YRT and Viva buses by the front doors. Exiting is through the middle or rear doors only. This is to help with passenger flow and physical distancing between travellers. Passengers with mobility issues requiring assistance may continue to board and exit using the front doors.

Day programsWe are working closely with all day programs as they re-open. All day programs must send us their COVID-19 protocol so we can relay this information to our travellers before booking a trip.

Mobility On-Request will not transport passengers to or from any facility that has had an outbreak. Our staff monitors the outbreak facility list daily.

BOARD FRONTDOORS ONLY

ON-REQUEST TRANSIT SERVICE AVAILABLE FOR SENIORS UNTIL AUGUST 31YRT’s Mobility On-Request (MOR) service allows you to request transit when and where you need it, within select service areas. YRT is offering an additional pilot service for seniors during the months of July and August. This is offered within existing MOR service areas in Georgina, East Gwillimbury, Newmarket, Aurora and Richmond Hill.

The service is available to seniors 65 years or older who are feeling hesitant taking regular public transit during this time. You do not need to be a Paratransit client in order to use the service. If you are a senior (or know of someone) travelling within the service areas, simply call Mobility On-Request during the operating hours (Monday to Friday, 7 a.m. to 2:45 p.m.). They will pick you up and take you to your desired location within five kilometres of your home. This can be a grocery store, doctor’s office, pharmacy or any other address.

For more information including service area maps and booking instructions visit yrt.ca/MOR65 or call us at 1-866-744-1119.

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NON-MEDICAL FACE MASKS AND COVERINGS ARE NOW MANDATORYIt is now mandatory to wear a non-medical face mask or covering on public transit and inside enclosed public spaces in York Region.

A face covering is made from two layers of cloth and covers a person’s nose and mouth. A face covering can be a scarf or bandana or can be homemade using a cotton t-shirt or other materials. Health Canada has instructions on how to make non-medical masks with sew or no-sew options, as well as how to properly wear and remove them. Visit canada.ca/covid19 for more information.

MAILING ADDRESS55 Orlando Avenue, 2nd floorRichmond Hill, ON L4B 0B4

Mobility On-Request Paratransit News

Keep our planet clean. Please recycle after use.

Toll free: 1-866-744-1119Bell Relay: 711 (For the deaf or hard of hearing)

Visit us at: yrt.caEmail: mobilityplusfeedback@york.ca

IN THIS SUMMER 2020 ISSUE: >New booking process to ensure your safety >What we are doing to keep you and our staff safe >Non-medical face masks and coverings are now mandatory

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We understand some of our travellers cannot wear a face mask or covering for health and safety reasons. If you are unable to wear a face mask or covering, please let us know prior to using our services by emailing mobilityplusfeedback@york.ca

Please do not litter. Place disposable masks in a lined garbage bin. Cloth masks should be washed after each use.

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