There is an upcoming schedule change on Dec 15, 2024
Driver and Vehicle Identification
Drivers
All Winnipeg Transit Plus drivers are required to wear a high visibility vest as well as their photo identification tag while providing service. The vest and the ID tag help identify our drivers and should always be visible.
If a driver is not wearing a vest or cannot produce an identification tag, please call the Winnipeg Transit Plus Contact Centre.
Vehicles
Winnipeg Transit Plus vehicles can be identified by a decal affixed to each side and rear of the vehicle. Winnipeg Transit Plus utilizes three types of vehicles to meet the needs of our registrants; cars, lift vans and mini-buses.
Starting Dec. 19, 2022, we will pilot a partnership where some rides may be provided by the Winnipeg WAV centralized dispatch service. See below for more information.
All vehicles have been installed with mounts to store our mobile data terminals (MDT’s). MDT’S allow the contact centre and drivers delivering service to communicate with each other in real time on the street. These mounts are made of aluminum alloy and designed to be durable enough to withstand daily use by our drivers. Due to the variety of vehicles within the fleet, the installation of these mounts varies depend on type of vehicle.
Winnipeg WAV partnership
Starting on December 19, 2022, Winnipeg Transit Plus is partnering with Winnipeg WAV to deliver a pilot project in an effort to better serve our customers as demand for our service changes and grows.
During the pilot project, if Transit Plus capacity is reached, we will attempt to schedule some of our trips using wheelchair accessible vehicles for hire delivered by drivers and vehicles registered in the Winnipeg WAV program in an effort to complete more customer trip requests.
The way Winnipeg Transit Plus customers book vehicles and pay for rides will not change, there is no additional cost if a trip is delivered by drivers and vehicles registered in the Winnipeg WAV program, and vehicle-for-hire drivers will not collect a fare during the trip.
Trips delivered by Winnipeg WAV will be booked with licensed taxi service providers who have been trained on customer service, disability awareness and securement of mobility devices consistent with their taxi license. Customers can expect the trip to resemble other taxi rides in wheelchair accessible vehicles. If there are complaints or concerns about these trips, please report them to 311 as they will be investigated by Vehicle for Hire’s by-law enforcement officers.
What to expect:
- In most cases*, customers who have registered for trip notifications will be notified by phone call the night before their trip that it has been booked with Winnipeg WAV.
- On the day of the trip, customers who have registered for notifications will also be notified by Winnipeg WAV:
- by automated text message at the time of dispatch with a WAV taxi number and vehicle tracking link, and
- by automated phone call at the time of arrival.
- Customers who have not registered for notifications can call the Costumer Contact Centre the night prior to the trip and a customer service representative can confirm if a trip has been booked through Winnipeg WAV*.
- All customers must confirm their name and destination with the driver prior to leaving the location.
- There will be no additional cost to Transit Plus customers. Winnipeg WAV drivers providing Transit Plus trips are not to exchange cash, tickets or tokens. As these are taxi rides, drivers are not allowed under the Vehicle for Hire by-law to request tips/gratuities. Tips or gratuities are at the customer’s discretion.
* In rare cases due to unforeseen circumstances, a trip previously scheduled to be delivered by Transit Plus may be booked through Winnipeg WAV the day of the trip, in which case the day-before notification or confirmation will not state that the trip will be delivered by Winnipeg WAV.
Customers who have not yet registered for trip notifications are encouraged to do so.
The pilot project will run through to the end of December 2023.
FAQ
What is the Winnipeg WAV?
- The Winnipeg WAV is a pilot project providing a centralized dispatch system and call centre to help customers easily request a wheelchair accessible vehicle-for-hire in Winnipeg.
- Visit the Winnipeg WAV website for more information.
Why is this partnership being initiated?
- A collaboration between Winnipeg Transit Plus and Vehicle for Hire office was highlighted as an opportunity in the report that led to the creation of the Winnipeg WAV pilot (approved April 2021).
- Drivers who provide service through the Winnipeg WAV program typically have availability in their schedule to provide additional trips and this will provide them with additional work opportunities.
- Successful partnerships between the para transit industry and for-hire providers are taking place across North America.
How will customers know if they will be travelling on a WAV vehicle rather than a Transit Plus Vehicle?
- In most cases*, customers who have registered for trip notifications will be notified by phone call the night before their trip that it has been booked with Winnipeg WAV.
- On the day of the trip, customers who have registered for notifications will also be notified by Winnipeg WAV:
- by automated text message at the time of dispatch with a WAV taxi number and vehicle tracking link, and
- by automated phone call at the time of arrival.
- Customers who have not registered for notifications can call the Transit Plus Contact Centre the night prior to the trip and a customer service representative can confirm if a trip has been booked through Winnipeg WAV*.
- All customers must confirm their name and destination with the driver prior to leaving the location.
* In rare cases due to unforeseen circumstances, a trip previously scheduled to be delivered by Transit Plus may be booked through Winnipeg WAV the day of the trip, in which case the day-before notification or confirmation will not state that the trip will be delivered by Winnipeg WAV.
Customers who have not yet registered for trip notifications are encouraged to do so.
Can customers be booked to travel on WAV for only one direction of their trip?
- Yes. Customers are only scheduled on WAV vehicles when there is no capacity to provide the trip on a Transit Plus vehicle. They may travel to their destination on a WAV vehicle and travel from their destination home on a Transit Plus vehicle (or vice versa).
Are all Transit Plus customers eligible to participate in this partnership?
- Yes, but to facilitate payment, only customers who have fare payment from account will be booked trips with Winnipeg WAV.
How will customers know that the driver is a WAV driver providing a Transit Plus trip?
- All customers must confirm the driver has your name and destination prior to leaving the location.
Will this impact the availability of On-Demand trips for Winnipeg WAV users?
- We anticipate minimal impacts, as demand for Winnipeg WAV vehicles peaks at a different time of day than Winnipeg Transit Plus vehicles.
How will you ensure customers a high level of service?
- Trips delivered by Winnipeg WAV will be booked with licensed taxi service providers who have been trained on customer service, disability awareness and securement of mobility devices consistent with their taxi license. If there are complaints or concerns about these trips, please report them to 311 for further investigation.
How do customers submit complaints or positive reviews about trips provided by WAV Drivers?
Could this be the start of Winnipeg Transit Plus service being migrated out to other providers?
- No, Winnipeg Transit Plus has always had an overflow service provider.