Durham Region Transit is inviting the community to take part in online accessibility consultations designed to help shape a more inclusive transit system across the region.
The consultations, which run from April 27 through May 8, give residents the opportunity to share feedback, personal experiences and ideas that will directly inform a long-term vision for accessibility across DRT services and infrastructure.
DRT says it wants to hear from riders of all abilities, including those who rely on mobility aids, have visual or hearing impairments, travel with strollers or simply find the current system challenging to navigate. The feedback gathered will be used to identify gaps in service and prioritize improvements that make transit more accessible for everyone.
This is not the first time DRT has sought public input on accessibility. Previous surveys have already provided valuable insights into where the system is working well and where it falls short. The current consultations are designed to build on those earlier findings and develop a more comprehensive understanding of what riders need and expect from their transit service.
The input gathered during this engagement period will help inform the development of the DRT 2026 to 2030 Accessibility Plan. That five-year plan will set specific targets and timelines for improvements to buses, stops, shelters, scheduling tools and customer service practices, as well as digital tools like the DRT mobile app and online trip planner across the entire DRT network.
Durham Region Transit operates dozens of fixed routes across Oshawa, Whitby, Ajax, Pickering, Clarington, Uxbridge, Scugog and Brock, serving thousands of riders every day across all eight area municipalities. Making those routes fully accessible is a priority for the region as the population continues to grow and age, and as demand for equitable public services increases across the Greater Toronto Area.
Residents can participate in the online consultations through the Your Durham engagement platform at durham.ca/YourDurham. The platform has recently been refreshed with a cleaner design, improved accessibility features and more user-friendly tools to make it easier for people to share their views.
Accessible transit is not just about meeting regulatory requirements. It is about ensuring that every resident of Durham Region can get to work, school, medical appointments and community activities without barriers or frustration. When a transit system is truly accessible, it strengthens the entire community by connecting more people to more opportunities. When transit works for people with disabilities, it works better for everyone including seniors, parents with young children and anyone recovering from temporary injuries.
DRT is encouraging anyone who uses transit or cares about accessibility in Durham to take a few minutes to complete the online consultation before May 8. The process is straightforward and takes only a short time, but the impact of your input could be felt for years to come.
The 2026 to 2030 Accessibility Plan will be shaped by the people who know transit best and that means the riders who use it every single day across Durham Region. Have your say at durham.ca/YourDurham before May 8.
