Priority and Courtesy seating

Show you care--offer your seat to someone who needs it more than you

The Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 (AODA) requires businesses and organizations to provide accessible services to people with disabilities. The goal is for Ontario to be fully accessible by 2025.

The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IASR, 191-11), is a standard developed under the AODA which includes 80 accessibility standards relating to transportation, employment, and information and communications. Compliance dates set out in the IASR range from July 2011 through January 2021.

In compliance with Section 49 of Regulation 191-11, Ontario's public transit authorities now provide Priority seating designated for use by passengers with disabilities.

Transit authorities recognize there are other customers who would also benefit from having a seat near the front of the bus. A Courtesy seating area has been designated for seniors, expectant mothers, adults traveling with infants/small children or any other customer who may benefit from a seat near the front of the bus.

 

image of Priority seating signPriority seating

Priority seating is for the use of passengers with a disability. These seats are located close to the front of the vehicle. Customers are expected to respect and obey the purpose of the designated seating area, which means if you are sitting in one of these designated seats, you MUST vacate the seat for a passenger with a disability.

Please note:

  • A person with a disability occupying a Priority seat is not required to move for another customer with a disability. Use of these seats is on a first come-first served basis.
  • You are not required or expected to leave a transit vehicle in order to make room for a customer with a disability.
  • Bus drivers/operators will not intervene to enforce the requirement. We ask, however, that you show consideration for those whose need is greater than your own.

image of Courtesy seating signCourtesy seating

Courtesy seating is intended to provide additional seating for people who will benefit from having a seat near the front of the vehicle including:

  • seniors
  • expectant mothers
  • adults traveling with infants or small children
  • any other passenger who may benefit from a seat

If you are sitting in one of these designated seats, please respect its purpose and give up your seat to those who need it.

Please note:

  • Drivers/operators will not enforce this requirement or intervene in any dispute related to Courtesy seating. We ask, however, that you respect this designated seating area and show consideration for those whose need is greater than your own.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why are there both Priority seating and Courtesy seating areas on a bus?

The Priority seating area is a regulatory requirement under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. The Courtesy seating area is provided in addition to the Priority seating area for passengers who may benefit from a seat, but do not have a disability.

 

2. I am a passenger with a disability. What do I do if the Priority seating area is full when I board the bus?

Politely remind the customers seated in the Priority seating area of its intended use and ask that they make room for you.

 

3. What do I do if the passengers seated in the Priority seating area refuse to move for me?

Please remember that passengers in the Priority seating area may suffer from a disability that is not easily recognized by others and they may not be comfortable discussing it in public. If the passengers in the Priority seating area do not move when  requested, proceed to the Courtesy seating area to find a seat.

 

4. The Priority seating decal states that other passengers MUST vacate for a passenger with a disability. If someone refuses to move for a passenger with a disability, who will make them obey the sign?

The wording on the decal is a legal requirement under Regulation 191-11 but the Regulation does not provide any reference to enforcement.

Given the vast number and varying degree of disabilities, many of which are invisible, it would be extremely difficult for a third party to determine who is more entitled to the Priority seating area. As such, we expect customers to do the right thing.

 

5. Can I ask the operator to force passengers to vacate a seat for me?

Drivers/operators will not intervene in a dispute between passengers regarding a seat.

 

6.  I am a person with a disability. When I board a bus that is full and people are both seated and standing in the Priority seating area, do other passengers need to vacate the bus to make room for me in the Priority seating area?

No. Public transit is first-come, first-served. Other passengers who have paid a fare are not expected to vacate the bus to make room for other passengers.

If you are not comfortable completing your trip without a seat, please wait for the next bus.

 

Priority and Courtesy seating brochure

Download a printable brochure containing the information on this page (PDF)