Riding YRT During COVID-19

In response to COVID-19, we’ve outlined some traveller advice and safety measures 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. Please be patient and kind to one another, and do your part to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Wear a non-medical face mask or covering

Effective Thursday, July 2, it will be mandatory to wear a non-medical face mask or covering on public transit (by-law no. 2017-7, as amended). This is to help to keep everyone safe. YRT and other transit agencies cannot guarantee physical distancing.

View this information sheet on how to properly put on and remove a face mask. Please note, the following persons should not wear a face mask or covering: children under the age of 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, anyone unable to remove a mask without assistance, anyone who requires accommodation under the Human Rights Code.

You can make a non-medical face mask/covering at home. Visit Health Canada's website for instructions on how to make non-medical masks and face coverings or watch this video to learn how to make a face covering.

Please DO NOT LITTER. Place disposable masks in a lined garbage bin. Over 900 waste units are located across the YRT system, including at YRT terminals, vivastations and at major bus stops. Cloth masks should be washed after each use. For more information on non-medical face masks and coverings, visit york.ca/covid19

Use PRESTO or the YRT Pay app

Fare is required to ride any YRT service. To 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. Visit our Fares and Passes page to learn more.

Board at front, exit at middle/rear doors

Travellers must board all buses (conventional and Viva) by the front doors and exit by the middle or rear doors only. Please do not exit at the front doors. 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. 

Travel at off-peak times

Consider travelling during off-peak times when routes may be less busy. Please visit our Popular Travel Times page to help plan your trip ahead of time.

Keep a 2-metre distance from others

Where possible, please keep a 2-metre distance from others while on the bus, or at stops and terminals. For your safety, we have closed access to select seats on our buses to support physical distancing. The driver will advise customers when the bus is at capacity and the when the next bus is expected to arrive. Routes are continually being monitored and additional buses are used to help with overcrowding whenever possible. 

Practice good hand hygiene

Wash 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.

We are here to help

If you have any questions or concerns, or require any trip planning assistance, please call us at 1-866-668-3978 or Live Chat us.  

Using Mobility On-Request During COVID-19

Our Mobility On-Request vehicles are cleaned a minimum of three times a day, and drivers are required to maintain an active log of when the vehicle was cleaned. In addition, all drivers have been provided with hand sanitizers and face masks.

In response to COVID-19, Mobility On-Request has implemented the following guidelines to help keep staff and riders safe:

Stay home if you are sick

If you have  symptoms of COVID-19, return home and self-isolate immediately. Seek assessment at a COVID-19 Assessment Centre. Please visit york.ca/covid19 for more information.

Wear a non-medical face mask or covering

All Mobility On-Request travellers must wear a non-medical face mask or covering. This is to protect others and slow the spread of COVID-19.

View this information sheet on how to properly put on and remove a face mask. Please note, the following persons should not wear a face mask or covering: children under the age of 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, anyone unable to remove a mask without assistance, anyone who requires accommodation under the Human Rights Code.

Please DO NOT LITTER. Place disposable masks in a lined garbage bin. Over 900 waste units are located across the YRT system, including at YRT terminals, vivastations and at major bus stops. Cloth masks should be washed after each use. For more information on non-medical face masks and coverings, visit york.ca/covid19

Paratransit customers: call in to book a trip

Until further notice, Paratransit customers cannot book trips online, through the app or through the automated phone line/Interactive Voice Response system. To book a trip, please call the Contact Centre at 1-866-744-1119. Visit our Contact Directory for our complete list of hours and contact information.

Paratransit customers: book your trip two days in advance

Trips can only be booked up to two days in advance (instead of seven days). In addition, all customers who call to book a trip will be screened by our Contact Centre staff, to help ensure the safety of passengers and drivers.

Paratransit customers: no changes to the Family of Services

All Paratransit customers who have been travel trained will continue to be provided with trip plans using the Family of Services (e.g. combination of Mobility On-Request with conventional services).

Paratransit customers: standing orders are cancelled

All existing standing orders will be cancelled, and we will not be taking any new standing orders until further notice. This is to ensure that all customers can be screened by our Contact Centre staff before travelling.

Please call us no more than two days in advance to book your trip.

Three passengers per vehicle

In following Public Health’s advice and to allow for physical distancing, we will be limiting the number of passengers per vehicle to three (three passengers and one driver), depending on the size of the vehicle.

In vans, only one wheelchair passenger will be accommodated.

Changes to transfer locations

As Tim Hortons and McDonald’s locations have closed their dine-in areas, transfer locations have changed:

Grocery stores open early for select people

We encourage our clients, who qualify, to shop when the stores open early for seniors and people with disabilities.

Many stores will open early for seniors (65+) and people living with disabilities.

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