Niagara Region Transit to assume Chair-A-Van service from St. John Ambulance

Niagara Region Transit (NRT) is excited to announce that effective March 1, 2024, it will be assuming the Chair-A-Van service, marking the first step towards an evolution in accessible transportation for the community. This transition comes after over 45 years of dedicated service by St. John Ambulance.

Chair-A-Van provides transit service within the urban boundary of the City of Niagara Falls to riders who are unable to use conventional bus service due to physical or mental limitations.

NRT acknowledges and extends its sincere gratitude to St. John Ambulance for its invaluable contributions to the community over the past four decades. The transition is a collaborative decision made between the Niagara Transit Commission and the St. John Council of Ontario (which operates in Ontario as St. John Ambulance), reflecting months of careful consideration and cooperation between the organizations.

“The Niagara Transit Commission would like to acknowledge the dedication and compassion demonstrated by the St. John Ambulance team, whose service and efforts have left an indelible mark on the Niagara Falls community. We are deeply grateful for their partnership and the countless lives they have positively impacted. We aim to maintain continuity of service through this period of change and to uphold the high standards set by our long-time partner."
~ Carla Stout, General Manager, Niagara Transit Commission

Key points of the transition:

• Service Continuity: The daily hours of operation will remain the same, and existing trips will not be affected, ensuring a smooth transition for all passengers.
• Fare Consistency: There will be no changes to fares, ensuring that the services remain affordable and accessible to all.
• Vehicle Consistency: The vehicles used for the Chair-A-Van service will remain the same, maintaining high standards of safety and accessibility.
• Software Stability: The software used for bookings and managing the service will remain unchanged, providing users with a familiar and reliable experience.
• Confidential Transfer of Information: Eligibility and profile information has been confidentially transferred to NRT, ensuring the privacy and security of passenger data.
• User-Friendly Technology: Passengers are encouraged to download the Niagara Region Transit Plus App for iOS or Android, or visit https://book.nrtplus.rideco.com/login for hassle-free and flexible booking.
• Customer Service: Riders can contact Chair-A-Van at 1-833-678-5463 and press option 2. Phones are answered Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Niagara Region Transit is committed to maintaining and enhancing the quality of the Chair-A-Van service, and this transition is a positive step toward improving accessibility and efficiency across Niagara.

“St. John Council for Ontario extends its profound gratitude to its St. John Ambulance teams, past and present in Niagara Falls, for their vision, compassion and commitment to the accessible transportation needs of the Niagara Falls community over the past 45 years. We further extend our sincere appreciation to the City of Niagara Falls, the Niagara Region, and the Niagara Transit Commission for their collaborative partnership and support over these many years, including through this evolution in accessible transportation services.”
~ Brian Cole, CEO, St. John Council for Ontario (operating as St. John Ambulance)

For more information or to apply to Chair-A-Van, please visit https://nrtransit.ca/specialized-transit/