Who Qualifies?
Passengers must be registered in advance before using the service.
Your application must clearly demonstrate how your disability or medical conditions prevent you from using conventional transit services in the City of Kingston.
It will help speed the processing of your application if you follow the instructions. If further assistance is required to complete this form, please telephone 613-542- 2512.
In order to become a registered passenger of Kingston Access Bus, a person must:
a. Reside in the City of Kingston, or be a visitor to the City of Kingston; AND
b. Have a disability as per the integrated Accessibility Standard (Ont. Reg. 191/11) and Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act 2005 (A.O.D.A.) which prevents the person from using conventional fixed-route transit services offered by the City of Kingston through Kingston Transit.
Eligibility is considered on a case-by-case basis, and is not based on a specific health condition; but if the applicants condition(s) prevent them from using conventional transit.
Eligibility is not based on: age, loss of driver’s license, inability to drive, availability of others to travel with the applicant on conventional transit, conventional transit services not being offered in the area of the applicant’s pick-up/drop-off locations, the proximity to bus stops, or unwillingness or reluctance to use conventional services on the part of the applicant. Financial need or inability to pay for taxis is not a criterion for eligibility. Receiving O.D.S.P. payments does not automatically qualify a person for KAB.
Some applicants may only be eligible for service during certain periods of the year (e.g. during winter periods).
Passengers whose medical conditions require specific transportation (e.g. extreme fragility requiring transportation below regular speeds or inability to remain on the vehicle for up to 1 hour) need to contact a non-emergency medical carrier for transportation.
Registered passengers who are inactive (i.e. do not use the service) for 3 years may have their registration cancelled and be required to reapply.
For information on passengers who cannot travel alone or must be turned over to a caregiver at their destination, please click here
Kingston Access Bus only operates within the City of Kingston limits. For transportation in your municipality please contact your local municipality regarding specialized transit services. Visitors to the City of Kingston may use the service. Please see the below section “Visitor Policy”.
For information on how to obtain an application package, please see the "How to get an application form" below.
How to apply for Kingston Access Bus:
As you complete the form, PLEASE keep in mind:
You may be able to use Kingston Transit’s conventional service for your trips as all routes use accessible low-floor vehicles equipped with ramps to assist individuals with disabilities. Courtesy seating is located at the front of each bus for those who have mobility limitations, and vehicles are equipped with wheelchair restraints.
Kingston Transit offers “travel training” on accessibility features and bus routes to those with disabilities. A handbook “Guide to KT accessible services” is available to provide information on accessibility features. For further information on Kingston Transit accessibility features please contact the City of Kingston’s customer service centre at: 613-546-0000.
Complete “Part A: Applicant Information” (pages 7-14): This section contains questions about your medical conditions and how they impact your ability to use conventional transit. This is to be completed by the applicant, or a designate acting on their behalf.
Have your Healthcare Professional complete “Part B: Healthcare Professional Certification” in full (pages 15-18).
Return both Parts A & B to Kingston Access Services via one of the following methods:
Fax: 613-549-6318
Scan (PDF or Word format only) and e-mail to: kab@kingston.net
Mail/deliver to: Kingston Access Services, 751 Dalton Avenue, Kingston, Ontario K7M 8N6
Please note:
Any fees charged by your Healthcare Professional for completion of the forms are the responsibility of the applicant. Your Healthcare Professional cannot guarantee eligibility.
Only applications with both Parts A & B fully completed will be considered for approval; illegible applications will not be processed and will be returned to the applicant.
Applicants may be required to attend a “Functional Assessment” at the Kingston Access Service office. There is no cost for the assessment, and free transportation is provided. Assessments are typically done every 2nd week. Should an applicant require an assessment, Kingston Access Services will contact the applicant for scheduling. If you use mobility aid(s), please bring the aid you will be using for the majority of your trips on the bus to the assessment.
Registration may take up to 14 days upon Kingston Access Bus receiving the fully completed application package, and the applicant attending the functional assessment (if required).
To get an electronic copy of the application form please click on "Application Form" below. For other methods of obtaining a form, please see "How to get an application form" below.
Categories of eligibility:
Passengers upon qualifying for Kingston Access Bus services will be categorized with one of the following levels of eligibility:
a. Unconditional Eligibility – Applicant has a disability which prevents them from using conventional transit services on a permanent basis.
b. Temporary Eligibility – Applicant has a disability that prevents them from using conventional transit services (e.g. broken leg) on a temporary basis.
c. Conditional Eligibility – Applicant has a disability where environmental or physical barriers limit their ability to consistently use conventional services (e.g. winter conditions).
How to get an application form
- print a copy (see "Application Form" link below)
- Contacting our office and we will mail or e-mail you a form.
- Stop by our office and we can give you one.
- Many doctor's offices or community organizations have copies of the application package which they can provide you.
Appeal Process
If an application is declined, the applicant may appeal this decision. The appeal will be heard first by a subcommittee of the Kingston Access Services Board of Directors. Should the application be declined by the Board of Directors, the applicant may request a further appeal to an independent arbiter appointed by the Board. No subsequent application may be filed until 6 months after the date of the final appeal decision, unless evidence of material change in circumstances is provided with a new application.