Accessible Low Floor Buses

All buses in Hamilton have Accessible Low Floors (ramps) and the International Symbol for Accessibility appears on the front and side of the bus. Accessible Low Floor buses have ramps that provide level entry and exit with no steps. These floors make it easier for everyone, especially for people in wheelchairs, scooters and walkers to get on and off the bus.

HSR buses can accommodate wheelchairs and scooters within the standard size of 30” wide by 48” in length which complies with the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA).

Bicycles, strollers and buggies

Bicycles, strollers and buggies can use ALF only where there is enough space on the bus to store them. They must be held securely by the passenger at all times when the bus is moving, clear of the aisle and not to disrupt other riders.

Wheelchairs and scooters on buses

Getting on the bus

You must be able to safely manoeuvre yourself into the wheelchair spaces. A support person must accompany you if you are unable to board or exit, approach the seating area or secure your wheelchair. Passengers in wheelchairs must use the lap belt.

Please enter the bus using the front doors.  If you have difficulty boarding through the front doors, connect with HSR to schedule a How to Ride the Bus session to learn how to board the bus using your personal mobility device. Please email [email protected] to schedule your How to Ride the Bus session.

Using a Personal Mobility Device (PMD) on HSR

For your safety, all personal mobility devices that require securement must be properly secured in the designated areas on the bus.

• The PMD will be secured by the strongest, non-removable parts of its structure.
• If you have a specific way that you'd like your PMD secured, please let the driver know before they assist you. Please note that we do our best to accommodate your preferences, but the driver may require that the securement be placed in an alternate location to ensure your safety while on board the bus. 
• The driver, or your support person, will secure the PMD. The driver must confirm that your PMD is safely secured before the bus departs.
• Your PMD must remain secured for the entire trip. Please notify the driver if you need assistance.

Getting off the bus

Push the stop request indicator before the bus gets to your stop. The stop request indicator is located on the underside of the seat in the designated PMD location. When you reach your stop, the driver, or your support person, will unsecure the PMD. Please wait until the bus has come to a complete stop before removing the securement. 

The stop request indicator may be either a yellow bar or stop request button. When these are used, a special light on the dashboard tells the driver that a person using a PMD may require assistance with unfastening the securement on their device. It will also advise the driver that the ramp will need to be deployed.

When exiting the bus, please use the rear doors. 

If you are unable to use HSR buses

If you have a disability and have difficulty using the HSR, you can apply for Accessible Transit Service to use either the Taxi Scrip program or DARTS.

For more information about how to ride HSR, please visit our Using HSR page.