OTTAWA, July 27 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Transportation Agency today
issued a $5,000 penalty to OC Transpo for failing to comply with an order to
call out major and requested stops on all of its routes.
In a November 2007 Decision, the Agency found that OC Transpo's failure
to call out stops was an undue obstacle to transportation for persons with a
disability, in this case persons with visual impairments.
"One of the Agency's key responsibilities is ensuring accessibility to
transportation," said Geoff Hare, Chair and CEO of the Canadian Transportation
Agency. "We trust that OC Transpo will ensure that major and requested stops
are called out and join the ranks of other service providers who have helped
make Canada's transportation system accessible to persons with disabilities."
An investigation this summer by Agency enforcement officers to monitor OC
Transpo's compliance found instances where drivers are still failing to call
out stops and, as a result, have issued this penalty.
Late last year, the Agency's Enforcement Division warned OC Transpo that
it was not in compliance with the 2007 Decision. A second Decision, in March
2009, gave OC Transpo 20 days to ensure that all necessary stops were called
out. This penalty follows an investigation of OC Transpo's compliance with
this order.
The Agency will continue to monitor OC Transpo on an on-going periodic
basis until such time as compliance is achieved.
About the Agency:
The Canadian Transportation Agency is an independent administrative
tribunal of the Government of Canada. It is responsible for resolving disputes
related to various aspects of transportation, improving access to
transportation for persons with disabilities, and making decisions in air,
rail and marine transportation as an economic regulator.
Previous decisions can be found on the Agency's Web site at:
www.cta.gc.ca under Resources.
Decision No. 610-AT-MV-2007: OC Transpo vs. Green November 30, 2007
Decision No. 85-AT-MV-2009: Application by OC Transpo pursuant to section
32 of the Canada Transportation Act, S.C., 1996, c. 10, as amended, for a
review of Decision No. 610-AT-MV-2007 dated November 30, 2007
For further information: Natalie Hanson, Canadian Transportation Agency,
(819) 934-9042
