News Release
March 24, 2021

Today, Mayor John Tory announced that the TTC’s Wheel-Trans service will be reaching out to 26,000 customers to provide COVID-19 vaccine registration information.

The City of Toronto is working with Wheel-Trans to ensure its customers – many whom are seniors – have all the information they need to register for a COVID-19 vaccination appointment at a City-run mass immunization clinic.

The outreach partnership is one more example of the work being done across Toronto to reach out to residents and ensure that they have information about COVID-19 vaccinations. The City is committed to making sure all residents who want a COVID-19 vaccine receive it as soon as they are eligible and as soon as the supply and distribution from other levels of government allows.

To help the City reach as many people as possible, Wheel-Trans will be providing rides to City-run mass vaccination sites for existing Wheel-Trans customers and for those who qualify for Wheel-Trans service. Wheel-Trans will be contacting its 26,000 existing customers via email, as well as through other channels, including newsletters, phone messages, and messages on its website and booking sites for those interested in booking a vaccine appointment.

The TTC and Wheel-Trans are dedicated to getting its customers and those who qualify for Wheel-Trans service to and from their vaccine appointment safely. Those using Wheel-Trans will be provided with a solo ride to and from their appointment.

Existing Wheel-Trans customers can book rides to and from vaccine appointments by calling Wheel-Trans Reservations at 416-393-4222, seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. or through the Wheel-Trans Self-Booking Website .

Customers who qualify for Wheel-Trans service, and would like to arrange a trip to and from their vaccination, are invited to apply by calling Wheel-Trans Customer Service at 416-393-4111, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Applicants may be eligible for Wheel-Trans service if their disability prevents them from using TTC’s conventional transit for all or part of their trip. Wheel-Trans is committed to providing vaccine rides to the vulnerable residents of Toronto, including the elderly and those with disabilities.

TTC Wheel-Trans provides a safe and reliable accessible transportation option for persons with disabilities to travel with freedom and dignity. This includes Wheel-Trans trips that connect customers to a subway station or bus stop. Wheel-Trans vehicles include accessible buses, contracted accessible taxi minivans and sedan taxis.

For general information on how to get vaccinated, customers are encouraged to visit the City of Toronto’s website

Quotes:

“I want to thank TTC CEO Rick Leary for taking action and working with us to reach out to residents. It’s another example of our Team Toronto approach where everyone across the organization is working to help. This outreach work by Wheel-Trans is on top of the City’s Vaccine Equity Transportation Plan which is working to ensure vulnerable residents and seniors can access COVID-19 vaccination appointments by removing barriers to transportation and travel to clinic sites. City staff have worked to develop this program and we will continue to add to it to ensure that these barriers do not prevent seniors from getting their shot.”

– Mayor John Tory

“Using our extensive database with more than 26,000 contacts, the TTC will be engaging our Wheel-Trans customers through various channels to offer safe and reliable transportation to and from vaccination appointments. This targeted outreach initiative is a testament to the critical role the TTC continues to play in Toronto’s immunization campaign. I want to extend my thanks to the many TTC employees helping to reduce barriers and promote equitable access to COVID-19 vaccination through this important program.”

– TTC Chair Jaye Robinson

“The TTC is proud to do our part and to do anything we can to support the City’s drive to get Toronto’s priority residents vaccinated as quickly as possible. Our community outreach and our dedicated shuttle services from Finch Station and through Wheel-Trans, will ensure that anyone who wants, and is eligible for, their shots, gets them without delay.”

-TTC CEO Rick Leary

“We cannot wait for seniors to come to us for vaccinations. Because of cognitive or mobility challenges, many older Torontonians are unable to navigate the vaccination appointment process or travel to large clinics. That’s why today’s announcement by the Mayor to reach out to vulnerable Wheel Trans users, and assist them in accessing a vaccination, is such an important step in the City’s effort toward ensuring that seniors are protected against COVID-19.”
– Councillor Josh Matlow (Toronto St. Paul’s)

Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City’s website or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.

Media contacts:

City of Toronto Media Relations, media@toronto.ca

TTC Corporate Communications, 416-981-1900, media@ttc.ca