Mobility Plus News DEAR MOBILITY PLUS CUSTOMER, FALL 2015

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1 FALL 2015 Mobility Plus News DEAR MOBILITY PLUS CUSTOMER, I have often heard the saying: Mother Nature has the best box of crayons, and that is so true of the autumn season in York Region. The season also brings days where it is less desirable to go outdoors. Remember that Mobility Plus will help get you to your appointments and visits with family and friends. You can book a trip the week prior to travel, so give us a call, use the Interactive Voice Response ( IVR ) or book online when you know your travel plans. Mobility Plus piloted the PRESTO electronic fare payment system late summer. PRESTO uses smart card technology that stores funds in a secure account, replacing the need for tickets, passes or cash, although you can still use all of these options. When you tap your PRESTO card on a fare payment device, the electronic chip embedded in the card instantly calculates and deducts the fare from your account or verifies your weekly / monthly pass. The pilot was a success and we will be implementing PRESTO on all Mobility Plus vehicles. You can read more about the PRESTO pilot inside this newsletter. Thank you to all volunteer participants for the pilot. Your enthusiasm and support has helped us continue with this initiative. I always end my letter to you with a statement on safety because it continues to be our number one priority. You should always feel safe when using Mobility Plus, be escorted to and from the vehicle and be seen crossing the door threshold. If you have concerns about any part of your trip, please take the time to call us. Your feedback helps us improve Mobility Plus services for you. Sharon Doyle Manager, Mobility Plus York Region Transit ( YRT / Viva )

2 MOBILITY PLUS LAUNCHES PRESTO ELECTRONIC FARE PAYMENTS Mobility Plus and Metrolinx staff successfully launched PRESTO on Mobility Plus vehicles in August. PRESTO is the electronic fare payment system for transit customers in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) and Ottawa, and can be used across 11 transit systems. The PRESTO reloadable smart card makes it easy to pay your fare while travelling within and between participating transit systems. Mobility Plus is the first paratransit service in the GTHA to accept PRESTO fare payments. The August launch was an eight-week pilot aimed to introduce the PRESTO card to paratransit customers and demonstrated use and acceptance of the electronic fare system. The PRESTO pilot included: > 20 PRESTO devices set up in Mobility Plus vehicles > 30 volunteers who are existing Mobility Plus clients > Customer training > Operator training The PRESTO pilot received positive customer feedback. As a result, PRESTO will be implemented across the Mobility Plus fleet by early Metrolinx will be using the Mobility Plus pilot results to help implement PRESTO across other GTHA paratransit services.

3 G Newmarket O Bus Terminal Longford Main Southlake Davis s Huron Height Leslie H ighway 404 NEWMARKET HELLO YELLOW Viva rapid transit service now operating on Davis Drive Viva yellow is now operating along Davis Viva yellow operates daily approximately Drive between Newmarket GO Bus Terminal every 15 minutes. Visit yrt.ca for more and the Highway 404 carpool lot. The new information about Viva yellow, including first rapid transit route uses the new dedicated and last departure times. rapid transit lanes ( rapidway ). MOBILITY PLUS TRAVEL TIPS > If you no longer need to travel, cancel your booked trip up to two hours before the scheduled pick-up time to avoid late cancellation, no-show demerit points or suspension of service. > When booking a trip with a companion, a seat is reserved for them. The No Show, Late Cancellation Policy also applies when travelling with a companion. Ensure your companion travels with you to avoid any penalties and an empty seat that could have been used by another client. > Inform Mobility Plus if there is a change to your mobility aid so your profile is up-to-date. This will ensure the appropriate vehicle is scheduled for you and help avoid any disruptions to Mobility Plus service. > If you have any questions about your mobility aid fitting in a standard Mobility Plus vehicle, call the contact centre and we will have staff inspect your mobility aid before your first trip. > Always travel with your Mobility Plus client card. This is a requirement for travel on Mobility Plus in the event a driver, YRT / Viva Enforcement officer or Mobility Plus inspector needs to verify client identity / eligibility and / or fare type. > Same-day service is guaranteed for all clients who travel using the Family of Services. Travel training is always available to assist you with your Family of Services trip. > Using a monthly pass, purchasing books of tickets or using a PRESTO card lowers the cost per trip.

4 INTRODUCING CHANGES TO DIAL-A-RIDE SERVICE IN AURORA AND OAK RIDGES Effective November 2, Dial-a-Ride service This change to Dial-a-Ride service for for Route 32 Aurora South and Route Routes 32 and 84 is a pilot program 84 Oak Ridges have been converted to and will connect customers with allow direct travel between YRT / Viva other YRT / Viva routes. Mobility Plus stops within a predetermined geographic customers are welcome to use this area. This means Dial-a-Ride vehicles on-request service. To book a ride, for Routes 32 and 84 may operate freely call at least 60 minutes within a specific boundary to get you to in advance of your trip. Customer service any YRT / Viva stop instead of following representatives are available to help the fixed route. with booking trips to provide the best available travel plans. Visit yrt.ca / DAR for more information, including service maps, booking instructions and more.

5 Leslie is in her second year as a volunteer on the York Region Accessibility Advisory Committee. This committee advises York Regional Council on how to make programs, services and facilities more accessible for everyone, including public transit, public spaces and facilities. This summer, Leslie volunteered for the Mobility Plus PRESTO pilot. She says the system was easy to learn and she will continue to use PRESTO for her Mobility Plus trips. MOBILITY PLUS AND ME CLIENT PROFILE: LESLIE BOLT Leslie Bolt started using Mobility Plus in 2003 after a brain arteriovenous malformation ( AVM ) resulted in loss of function on the left side of her body. Similar to most Mobility Plus clients, Leslie s physical condition does not limit her optimism and using Mobility Plus helps her have the freedom to do what she wants. She uses the service regularly for doctor appointments, social outings and volunteering activities. Leslie s passion for her community also has her volunteering at her local library in the City of Markham, where she participates in leading children s programs and reading groups. Leslie says that volunteering fills up my soul, and credits her husband Paul for being her right-hand man since their teenage years. Above: Leslie Bolt is an active volunteer and regular Mobility Plus customer. Mobility Plus staff are helpful and have the right intentions to help you be independent, Leslie says. TRAVELLERS HOTLINE FOR TRIP CONCERNS Effective December 1, clients will be able to call the new Mobility Plus traveller s hotline for concerns regarding a late pickup or no-show. The number will connect you directly to Mobility Plus dispatch staff. The Mobility Plus traveller s hotline can be reached toll free at Please note, the traveller s hotline is not for booking, confirming or cancelling trips; these calls will be transferred to the Mobility Plus contact centre.

6 MOBILITY PLUS IS MOVING Mobility Plus will be moving to the new York Region Transit ( YRT / Viva ) Operations, Maintenance and Storage Facility in the Town of Richmond Hill in December. The move will accommodate growth in the Mobility Plus contact centre, dispatch and scheduling areas. The YRT / Viva head office at 50 High Tech Road in the Town of Richmond Hill remains available for buying YRT / Viva fares and obtaining information on Mobility Plus service. Local: Toll free: TTY local: TTY toll free: Visit us online at: mobilityplus.yrt.ca Mobility Plus News IN THIS FALL 2015 ISSUE: > Mobility Plus launches PRESTO > Changes to Dial-a-Ride service in Aurora and Oak Ridges > Travel tips YORK REGION TRANSIT (YRT / VIVA) MOBILITY PLUS 50 High Tech Road, 5 th floor Richmond Hill, ON L4B 4N7 Keep our planet clean. Please recycle after use.