Paratransit eligibility

Paratransit services are designed for people with disabilities whose impairments significantly limit their mobility. Below are the eligibility criteria and the steps to follow to apply for these services. 

To be eligible for paratransit services, you must be a person with a disability whose functional impairment(s) make it necessary to use this service.

You must have one of the following disabilities:

• Inability to walk 400 metres on level ground
• Inability to climb a 35 cm step with support or inability to step down from such a step without support
• Inability to make an entire trip using conventional public transit, due to severe fatigue
• Inability to orient yourself in time or space
• Inability to handle situations or master behaviours that may compromise your safety or that of others

If you are eligible for paratransit services, you will be assigned a level of eligibility and type of accompaniment service that reflect your impairments and, where applicable, your ability to learn to use public transit or become familiar with it.

Eligibility categories

The following levels of eligibility may be granted:

• Unconditional: valid for all trips, at all times
• Conditional: valid for some trips or under specific circumstances (e.g., evenings only)
• Temporary: valid for all trips for a limited period
• Seasonal: valid for all trips (winter only)

Types of accompaniment

The following types of accompaniment may be assigned:

• Mandatory: required for all trips
• Temporary: for the purposes of familiarization
• Optional
• Accompaniment at destination: provided at the discretion of each paratransit service provider
• No assistance authorized: if you are able to use conventional public transit with a companion

Parental responsibilities

If you are eligible for paratransit services, you may travel with all your children under age 14.

If your child is eligible and under 14, they may travel with both parents, as well as one sibling under age 14. Accompaniment is mandatory for children with disabilities under age 6.

Contact the paratransit service in your municipality [in French only]. They will provide you with the application form and a list of required documents (e.g., proof of age).

If your municipality does not offer paratransit services, contact the nearest paratransit service provider.

You will receive a written response within 45 days of the service provider receiving your duly completed application form. All requests are handled confidentially. Once eligible, you may use your municipality’s paratransit service and access other paratransit services across Québec as a visitor.

For more information, contact the paratransit service in your municipality [in French only].

Eligibility Committee decision

Each application is reviewed by an Eligibility Committee based on the eligibility criteria. The committee includes representatives from the paratransit service provider, people with disabilities, and professionals from the health and social services network.

If your situation changes or you are not satisfied with the committee’s decision, you may submit additional information or documents for reconsideration.

The Eligibility Committee must review your file within 45 days of receiving a new application form or new documentation confirming your disability.

Appeal to the review board

You may appeal the committee’s decision in writing within 40 days.

Include the following information with your request for review:

• your name
• your mailing address and email address (if you have one)
• the decision being contested (non-eligibility, the level of eligibility or the type of accompaniment)
• the date of the decision

The review board includes representatives from the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable, the Office des personnes handicapées du Québec and transit organizations.

A decision from the review board will be sent to you within 30 days of receiving your request for review.

To find your local paratransit service, consult the list of paratransit organizations [in French only] across Québec or the interactive map of public and paratransit services.

If you need assistance with your application, contact the Office des personnes handicapées du Québec.

For more information, refer to the paratransit eligibility policy brochure (PDF 131 Kb) or the full policy document: Politique d’admissibilité au transport adapté (PDF 3.85 Mb).