Eligibility Policy update
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We are changing our eligibility.
We’ve drafted updates to our eligibility, no-show and late cancellation, and bag policies. Before we take these changes to City Council for approval this summer, we want to meet with our customers, stakeholders, and the public.
Our current policy is limited to individuals who fall under defined categories. Our updated policy would make our service more accessible to more people. The new draft focuses on people who are unable to use the conventional transit service (some or all the time) due to:
- Physical abilities
- Cognitive abilities
- Sensory abilities
What we heard
Currently, our eligibility is based on a medical model. Over the years, we have heard about the need to revise our policy. We have drafted this update on the feedback we have received from:
- Customers
- Community partners
- Policy Advisory Committee
An independent review of our service also recommended a revised eligibility policy. It noted the need for us to evaluate applicants on their ability to use conventional transit.
Eligibility categories
We took the feedback we received and revamped our eligibility categories. Qualified applicants will now fall under one of three categories:
Unconditional Eligibility: Individuals are unable to use conventional transit. We provide all trips.
Temporary Eligibility: Individuals are unable to use conventional transit in the short term. We provide trips on a temporary basis.
Conditional Eligibility: Individuals with functional limitations and are affected by environmental or physical barriers. They are unable to use conventional transit some of the time. We will assist on portions of a trip. We will also help them access other transit services.
Frequently asked questions
1. Would people with sensory disabilities, neurodivergence, or cognitive disabilities (not just dementia) be eligible under the proposed criteria?
Yes. Under the proposed eligibility approach, people whose sensory, cognitive, and/or neurodivergent-related functional needs make it hard to use conventional transit some or all of the time could be eligible for Transit Plus. This would expand eligibility compared with the current criteria.
2. How will Transit Plus decide if someone is unable to use conventional transit some or all of the time?
Under the proposed approach, eligibility would be based on a functional assessment. That means Transit Plus would look at how a person’s physical, cognitive, sensory, and/or visual abilities affect their ability to use conventional transit.
Transit Plus would continue using its current standardized assessment process and would explore additional assessment tools to better reflect different types of needs (including physical, cognitive, and sensory factors).
3. How will the proposed changes affect current Transit Plus customers? Will everyone be reassessed right away?
No. Current customers would not be reassessed right away. Customers would be reviewed under the proposed criteria during their regular three-year renewal (re-registration).
Until your renewal date, you would continue receiving the same Transit Plus service you receive today.
4. Will my service change before my three-year renewal date?
No. If you are a current Transit Plus customer, your service will not change right away because of the proposed eligibility updates. The new eligibility criteria would be reviewed when you reach your next three-year renewal (re-registration) date. Until then, you will continue to receive the same Transit Plus service and eligibility status you have today.
Any changes would only happen after City Council approval, an implementation plan is finalized, and customers are notified.
5. What does Unconditional eligibility mean? What about Conditional and Temporary eligibility?
These categories describe when you can use Transit Plus, based on how your disability affects your ability to use regular (conventional) Winnipeg Transit.
- Unconditional eligibility: You can use Transit Plus for your trips because you are not able to use conventional transit (fixed bus routes and On-Request) most or all of the time.
- Conditional eligibility: You can use Transit Plus some of the time, but there are situations when you can’t use conventional transit. Transit Plus would be available when those conditions apply (for example, certain weather, distances, safety barriers, or other factors that make conventional transit not workable).
- Temporary eligibility: You can use Transit Plus for a limited period of time because your disability or condition is expected to change (for example, during recovery). Your eligibility would be reviewed again at the end of that temporary period.
