The Municipality of Chatham-Kent is introducing a Support Person Assistance Card for Ride CK public transit services. This photo ID card allows a rider who, because of a disability, requires assistance while traveling on any Ride CK service to bring a support person with them at no additional charge.
A process for fare-free support persons was previously only available for Chatham and Wallaceburg Accessible specialized transit services.
"In 2021 we received more applications for Chatham Accessible than ever before. Demand for specialized transit is rising as our population ages so it can be difficult to book a ride on that service when you want it," said Ann-Marie Millson, Manager of Transit & Capital Asset Management.
"We hope this new Support Person Assistance Card will allow some of these riders to effectively migrate back to conventional service and encourage new riders with disabilities to discover public transit."
Conventional transit services already accommodate many riders with disabilities on a daily basis. Vehicles are low-floor and equipped with ramps, audio and visual stop announcements, and priority seating. For more information on transit accommodations visit rideck.ca/accessibility.
Riders approved for specialized transit in Chatham or Wallaceburg who have a mandatory support person attached to their profile are not required to apply for the new Support Person Assistance Card unless they intend to also use conventional transit with a support person.
Applications can be picked up at a Municipal Centre or downloaded here.
