The Support Person Assistance Card is a photo card that identifies the cardholder as a person who, because of their disability, needs to be accompanied by a support person.
The Support Person Assistance Card permits a support person to travel on YRT with the eligible customer (cardholder) at no additional cost. Customers with disabilities who travel with a support person on YRT must apply for the Support Person Assistance Card. The card will be issued for a maximum of 10 years for customers aged 16 years old and over, and for a maximum of five years for customers under the age of 16 at the time of application submission. The card must be renewed by submitting a new application and photo upon expiry.
A support person is someone who assists the cardholder with communication, mobility, personal care/medical needs or with access to goods, services or facilities. The Support Person Assistance Card permits a support person to travel with the eligible customer (cardholder) at no additional cost. A cardholder may travel with different support persons at different times. Additional companions must pay a fare.
Customers who need to be accompanied by a support person when travelling on YRT because of their disability (permanent or temporary) may apply for the Support Person Assistance Card.
The application form includes a section (Part B) that must be completed by an authorized regulated health care professional. This health care professional must certify that the applicant is a person who, because of their permanent or temporary disability, needs to be accompanied by a support person.
Download and complete the Support Person Assistance Card application form below. You may also request a copy of the application form to be mailed to you by calling YRT.
Support Person Assistance Card Application Form (PDF 99 KB)
Part A must be completed by the customer (applicant) who, because of their disability, needs to be accompanied by a support person. A legal guardian may complete the form on behalf of the intended customer.
Part B must be completed and stamped by an authorized regulated health care professional. Authorized regulated health care professionals include:
One (1) current passport-quality photo of the applicant must be included with the application. The photo must be 50 mm wide by 70 mm high (2 inches wide by 2¾ inches high), the customer’s face and shoulders must be placed in the centre of the photo, and the photo must be printed on plain, high-quality photographic paper. The backside of the photo must be initialed by the authorized regulated health care professional who completes Part C of the application form.
Completed applications are accepted by mail. A completed application includes:
Incomplete forms will not be accepted.
Submit your application by mail:
Mail your completed application (including the certified colour passport photo) to the address below:
York Region Transit (Mobility On-Request Paratransit)
55 Orlando Avenue, 2nd Floor
Richmond Hill, Ontario L4B 0B4
YRT customers who need to be accompanied by a support person are required to carry a YRT Support Person Assistance Card or the support person will be required to pay a fare.
The Support Person Assistance Card permits a support person to travel with the eligible customer (cardholder) at no additional cost.
The cardholder can simply show the card to the operator (driver) when paying their fare upon boarding a YRT bus. When using Viva, present the card to YRT Enforcement upon request.
Cardholders must still pay their regular fare when using YRT with a support person. The Support Person Assistance Card only exempts the fare for the support person.
A cardholder may travel with different support persons at different times.
Authorized regulated health care professionals include:
There is no charge for the YRT Support Person Assistance Card. Please note that YRT will not reimburse any costs incurred to complete the application.
Please allow two to three weeks processing time to receive your YRT Support Person Assistance Card.
Yes;
however, the Support Person Assistance Card only exempts the fare for one support person. Additional companions must pay a fare.
No.
To travel for free, the support person must accompany the cardholder on their entire trip.
Yes.
A Support Person Assistance Card will be issued for a maximum of 10 years for customers aged 16 years old and over, and for a maximum of five years for customers under the age of 16 at the time of application submission.
Yes.
Replacement cards can be obtained at 55 Orlando Avenue, Richmond Hill or by calling 1-866-744-1119.
No.
The Support Person Assistance Card may only be used by the customer it was issued to. The card is non-transferable.
Every transit system has their own rules. Please contact the transit system you wish to travel on to verify if they will accept a YRT Support Person Assistance Card.
Yes.
YRT accepts Support Person Assistance Cards from other transit systems.
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