Accessibility

Accessible GO stations

Currently, most of GO’s stations, including Union Station, are accessible. Easier access features have been incorporated into GO Train stations and GO Bus terminals.

The following accessible features can be found at stations and terminals:

• Accessible parking
• Accessible washrooms
• Automated door openers
• Elevators
• Ramps and curb cuts
• Signage
• Mini-platforms (see the Accessible GO Train Services section for more info)

GO stations that are currently not accessible

The GO stations listed below do not offer accessible services at this time. Please see our annual Accessibility Plan for information on planned accessibility upgrades.

Lakeshore West line:
Long Branch
Mimico

Milton line:
Kipling

Kitchener line:
Bloor
Georgetown

Lakeshore East line:
Eglinton

GO Transit is committed to providing inclusive and barrier-free access to information for all its customers.

• Information on GO Transit’s services can be provided upon request in accessible formats. Contact us to make a request.
• GO Transit’s teletypewriter (TTY) line enables persons with hearing disabilities to communicate with staff in a two-way text conversation over the telephone line. TTY service is available by calling 1-800-387-3652.

For more information, please refer to the Metrolinx / GO Transit Accessible Customer Service Policy for Implementation of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 in PDF or HTML.

GO Mobile smartphone app GO Mobile, our smartphone allows you to:

•  view schedules
• bookmark favourite schedules
•  see Union departure info
• set arrival alerts for your final destination
•  use text-to-speech functionality

The app has accessibility features such as arrival alerts and audible notifications announcing departure platforms at Union. For preferred audible departure notifications, enable sound alerts in the preferences/settings menu. For arrival alerts, see the "How to's" category above and please refer to Arrival Alerts.

The iPhone app meets Accessibility guidelines and the icons feature better contrast for low vision users.

Available on Android only, users can launch Union Station departure notifications with a swipe gesture on the screen.

Read more about the app on the GO Mobile page.

Planning your trip

All GO Bus routes are accessible for people using wheeled mobility aids, but only some stops are accessible. We encourage you to call three business days in advance so we can help plan your trip. If any of the stops you need to use for your trip are not accessible, we will make arrangements to serve you at the nearest safe accessible location. We will confirm your travel schedule so that we can let the bus driver know to look for you at the alternative stop. If you use a wheeled mobility aid, please allow sufficient time to board, transfer and deboard the bus when planning your trip.

If you wish to travel again to a stop where you have already been served at an alternative safe location, call the Contact Centre two hours in advance so that we can let the driver know you will be travelling to an alternative location.

In the schedules, accessible bus stop locations are identified by the international wheelchair symbol, however the timetables do not show all accessible bus stops. To find out if the GO Bus stops you wish to use are accessible please contact us.

Bus drivers are not able to provide personal assistance, so if you do need assistance while travelling on GO Transit, please bring a companion on a support person ticket - this will allow you and your companion to travel on one fare.

Boarding an accessible GO Bus

GO operates two types of buses. Double decker buses are equipped with a low floor and a ramp, while highway coaches use an exterior motorized lift for boarding with a WMA. Depending on the type of bus, the length of the space designated for wheeled mobility aids varies from 122 centimetres (48 inches) on our double decker buses to 152 centimetres (60 inches). If you are using a wheeled mobility aid, you must be able to manoeuvre into these spaces, which could mean medium-to large-sized scooters will not fit. The maximum weight of a passenger with mobility aid that the highway coach lift can accommodate is 295 kilograms (650 pounds), and the maximum weight of a passenger with mobility aid that a double decker bus ramp can accommodate is 363 kilograms (800 pounds).

To reduce the time required to board and deboard using the lift on the highway coaches, GO will be removing the seats directly adjacent to the accessible door to make boarding the bus easier for passengers using the lift.

To confirm if your wheeled mobility aid can board the bus, please know the route you are planning to take and contact us for more information.

If you’re boarding an accessible GO Bus at a terminal, please arrive early as boarding can take several minutes. Be sure to have your ticket, pass, PRESTO card, or money ready before boarding.

The driver will prepare the wheelchair securement area on the bus and deploy the motorized wheelchair lift or ramp. You may back onto the lift, or go forward onto the ramp, when the driver advises you it is safe to do so. When on the lift, please lock your brakes and turn off your device. The driver will raise and stow the lift and advise you when you may move from the lift into the bus. The buses have space for two customers using wheeled mobility aids. This area is also signed with prominent “Priority Seating” decals which indicate that these seats must be vacated, according to Provincial Regulation, if required by a passenger with a disability.

Preparing to travel on the bus

Lock your brakes and turn off your device once you’re in position. For everyone’s safety, the driver must secure your wheelchair or scooter with straps to the floor.

If you do use a scooter, please transfer into seat on the bus immediately in front of or behind your scooter. Sitting on the scooter is not safe in the event of an emergency stop or turn.

All customers younger than 16 years of age are required to wear both shoulder and lap belts. The driver can help you fasten the belts.

To read about the Emergency Evacuation Procedures on the GO Bus, see the Emergency Evacuation Procedures section.

GO Buses include many accessible features such as:

• Wheelchair lift and roll on/off ramp;
• Kneeling features;
• Docking lights that enhance the safety and accessibility for the disabled passengers during the boarding process;
• Door lighting, photo-luminescent markings on stairs and handrail support; and
• Priority and courtesy seating.

The majority of GO Train stations offer accessible services. The stations listed below do not offer accessible services at this time. Please see our annual Accessibility Plan for information on planned accessibility upgrades.

Lakeshore West line:
Long Branch
Mimico

Milton line:
Kipling

Kitchener line:
Bloor
Georgetown

Lakeshore East line:
Eglinton

Boarding the accessible railcar

Accessible train stations are equipped with an elevated and ramped mini-platform on the main platform. The accessible railcar is the fifth car from the locomotive end of the train. When the train pulls into the station, a crew member places a portable bridge between the accessible railcar and the mini-platform.

Each accessible railcar has eight wheelchair spots on the lower level. Retractable belts are available to secure your wheelchair or mobility aid.

To read about the Emergency Evacuation Procedures on the GO Train, see the Emergency Evacuation Procedures section.

GO Trains include many accessible features such as:

• Accessible washrooms on the lower level;
• Priority seating with flip-up seats, hand rail and Emergency Alarm strip;
• Non-slip colour contrast flooring and photo-luminescent markings on floors, walls, stairs and doors;
• Yellow photo-luminescent stair edge indicators;
• Door closing warning light and chime;
• Bright exterior side doorstep lighting;
• Glare free interior lighting; and
• During loss of power neon floor strips serve as a guide to lead customers to safety.

Using the timetables

The majority of GO Train stations offer accessible services – to find out if yours does, check your trip’s schedule or pick up a printed timetable at our stations or terminals.

Printed timetables and those on our website show the accessibility symbol next to the train stations, bus terminals and bus trips that are accessible.

Call ahead

Before starting your trips, call us or check online for train and bus schedules, fares and accessible trip and station/terminal and bus stop location information.

Getting to the station or stop

Plan your trip carefully, including the use of any taxi or specialized service connections. We recommend that you arrive to the station or stop 15 minutes earlier than the scheduled departure time whenever possible.

Buying your ticket or pass

A passenger with a disability needing a companion and/or a specially trained dog for assistance may bring either or both on their trip free of charge.

If you are bringing a companion for assistance, your GO ticket seller can endorse your single-ride, day pass or PRESTO card as a Support Person Ticket. It will be marked so two people can ride using the one ticket or pass.

Tickets and passes may be purchased at GO Train stations, GO Bus terminals, or from GO ticket agents. To learn more about how to use a PRESTO card, view how to videos in American Sign Language on prestocard.ca. 

Single-ride and day passes are available for purchase from bus drivers. Drivers can accept cash up to $20.

Priority Seating is a priority

GO promises to make your experience more comfortable. New and more visible Priority Seating decals have been placed by the accessible seating areas on GO Trains and GO Buses to make sure passengers with a disability get a seat.

Priority Seating is mandated under Provincial Regulation 191-11 (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act). Passengers must vacate the designated seating if it is required by a passenger with a disability.

On GO Trains, Priority Seating is located on the lower level of the accessible railcar – the fifth railcar from the locomotive end of the train.

On GO Buses, Priority Seating is located in the first few rows near the bus driver on highway buses and near the stairs on double-decker buses.

Look for the following image to identify where Priority Seating is:

Courtesy Seating has also changed

Courtesy Seating is intended to provide preferred seating for people who will benefit from having a seat including:

• seniors
• expectant mothers
• adults traveling with infants or small children
• any other passenger who may benefit from a seat.

If you are sitting in one of these designated seats, please respect its purpose and give up your seat to those who need it.