Accompaniment
Once a user becomes eligible for paratransit, a decision will be made as to whether they must or can receive accompanying services on trips.
Types of accompanying services
| Types | Payment required | Authorized travel buddies | Guaranteed spot | Travel buddy requirements |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mandatory | No | 1 | Yes |
|
| Optional | Yes | 1 | No | |
| Temporary for familiarization purposes | No | 1 | Yes | Adult helping teach the user |
| Assistance at destination | Yes | 1 | Yes |
|
| Parental responsibilities – Parent with disabilities | Yes | Depends on the number of children | Yes | Children under the age of 14 |
| Parental responsibilities – Child with disabilities under the age of 14 | Yes | 1 parent | Yes |
A user with a mandatory accompaniment status must always be accompanied by one person on trips.
- The mandatory travel buddy must be 14 or older.
- The travel buddy must be picked up and dropped off at the same location as the user.
- The travel buddy must provide the user with assistance (physical or otherwise) in the vehicle during the trip.
- The travel buddy does not need to purchase a fare.
A user with an optional accompaniment status can be accompanied on trips by one person.
- The user must indicate when they make the reservation whether they will be accompanied by a buddy.
- The travel buddy must be picked up and dropped off at the same location as the user.
- The travel buddy is not guaranteed a spot in the vehicle. Paratransit services will inform the user, as soon as possible, if their travel buddy loses their spot.
- The travel buddy must purchase a fare.
This temporary accompaniment helps a new user with specific needs to familiarize themselves with the paratransit environment. The user will eventually be able to use the service without accompaniment.
- The travel buddy must be picked up and dropped off at the same location as the user.
- The travel buddy must be an adult and help teach the user.
- The travel buddy does not need to purchase a fare.
The travel buddy may or may not take paratransit with the user. The travel buddy must be 14 or older.
If the buddy is travelling with the user:
- The buddy must provide the user with assistance (physical or otherwise) in the vehicle during the trip.
- The buddy must be picked up and dropped off at the same location as the user.
- The buddy must purchase a fare.
If the buddy is not travelling with the user:
- The buddy must be present when the user arrives at their destination.
Parents with disabilities can travel with their dependent child or children who are under the age of 14, regardless of the type of accompaniment.
- The spot in the vehicle must be confirmed when making the reservation.
- The buddy must be picked up and dropped off at the same location as the user.
- If the child travelling with their parents is between 6 and 13 years old, they must purchase a fare.
- Children 5 and under travel free, if they are accompanied by an adult.
Children with disabilities under the age of 14 may travel with a parent, regardless of the type of accompaniment.
- The spot in the vehicle must be confirmed when making the reservation.
- Parents must be picked up and dropped off at the same location as their child.
- Parents must purchase their own fare.
Guide dogs or service dogs are always allowed on board, regardless of the type of authorized accompaniment.
- Dogs must wear a harness and stay at their owner’s feet.
- Dogs must refrain from any aggressive behaviour toward other passengers and the driver. The owner is responsible for controlling their dog at all times. Dogs must obey their owners.
- If the dog makes other paratransit users feel uncomfortable or unsafe, MRC Brome-Missisquoi can require adjustments be made in collaboration with the dog’s owner or handler.
- The user must mention that they will be travelling with a guide dog or service dog when they make the reservation.
- Dogs ride for free.
Minors between the ages of 6 and 13 travelling alone will need a legal representative, under the principle of parental responsibility, to fill out and sign the Waiver form for the transportation of minors between 6 and 13 years old (French only, see the Useful links and documents section below).
- The minor must purchase a fare.