Taxi coupons: A convenient alternative for some Para Transpo customers

Last year, nearly 2,000 Para Transpo customers purchased and used taxi coupons as a convenient alternative to Para Transpo. Taxi coupons allow Para Transpo customers to take discounted taxi services. A book of the coupons can be purchased from Para Transpo for $24, but provides $40 worth of taxi fares; meaning that you are saving 40 per cent off the regular taxi fare. Once you have purchased a taxi coupon book, you can reserve a ride at your convenience by contacting one of four participating taxi companies – Blue Line, Capital, De Ville and West-Way Taxi. Coupon books have a selection of $1, $2 and $5 coupons, which are all accessible with the $1 coupon having a single hole punch, the $2 coupon having two hole punches and the $5 having none.  All coupons are accepted by the taxi driver at their face value. The taxi driver will not provide change from the coupons, and coupons cannot be used to provide tips; so, you will need to ensure that you have extra cash to pay any remaining balance or to cover a tip. Another great thing about the using taxi coupons is that friends or family members may travel with you, up to the capacity of the taxi, at no extra charge. If you would like more information about taxi coupons, please contact OC Transpo at 613-842-3670 (TTY 613-741-5280) or visit octranspo.com. Accessible pedestrian signals: A helpful tip  All new traffic signals in the City of Ottawa are built to include Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS). APS use audible, tactile, vibro-tactile and visual signage methods to assist all pedestrians to safely cross streets.  APS signals emit a steady and constant beeping sound, known as a locator tone to make the push button easier to find for people with low vision. The locater tone is calibrated so that it is heard only within a few steps from the crosswalk. APS are activated similarly to any signalized intersection currently equipped with a push button. To activate, you simply press the raised tactile arrow button once and wait for the “WALK” signal to appear. But, here is a helpful tip. If you would like the audible component on the APS to be activated, just hold down the raised tactile arrow button for at least three seconds. That will trigger a vibration and sound to inform you that the audible component has been triggered. Then, when the “WALK” signal appears, the push button with the raised arrow will vibrate, and you will hear an audible “Cuckoo” sound for north-south travel or a “Canadian Melody” sound for east-west travel. These sounds will tell you that pedestrians have the right of way and can safely cross the intersection. For more information on our Accessible Pedestrian Signals, contact the City at 311 (TTY 613-580-2401) or visit ottawa.ca.

Remember, you can request accessible formats of City public documents and we welcome your disability-related feedback on the accessibility of our services, programs and facilities through the following channels: by phone at 3-1-1 and TTY (613-580-2401); by e-mail to the Accessibility Office at accessibilityoffice@ottawa.ca; and   in person at any of the City’s service locations.