Transportation

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About Transportation

For persons without a vehicle of their own or ready access to one, transportation services provide access to health services. Transportation enables people to participate in community life, enhancing their health, well-being and independence. Transportation services are an important support for seniors, other individuals with short or long-term activity limitations, and families with young children. 

LHIN-Funded Transportation

HNHB LHIN-funded transportation services make a small contribution, alongside other non-profit services, and specialized municipal services, to people accessing health and social supports. More frequently, people depend on family, friends or accessible transportation programs in their communities, if available.

Among LHIN-funded programs, there is considerable variation in their distribution, eligibility criteria, user fees, and daily/hourly availability. Persons with mobility issues, persons with behavioral challenges and children and youth under the age of 16 are not eligible for many services. There is a lack of affordable regional transit which is a barrier to getting to specialized health services either within or outside a region.

Planning for Transportation

Transportation planning and improvement is a shared responsibility. Accessible and affordable transportation promotes people’s social and economic inclusion, independence, choice and well-being. Two key considerations for future planning include:

• LHIN residents’ taxes support health services, no matter where they are located and they are entitled to these services when needed.
• Alone, no single transportation provider can assure equitable access to “getting around.” It is a shared and complementary responsibility.

Looking Ahead

• Integrate transportation with community and service planning for healthy, active living.
• Respecting its community base, grow transportation from its charitable roots to a business model that is accountable for safe, accessible, and efficient transportation.