Priority and Courtesy Seating

Show you care. Offer your seat to someone who needs it more than you.

Please read and respect the signs

In compliance with Section 49 of Regulation 191-11, Ontario's public transit authorities now provide priority seating designated for use by passengers with disabilities.

Transit authorities recognize there are other customers who would also benefit from having a seat near the front of the bus. A courtesy seating area has been designated for seniors, expectant mothers, adults travelling with infants/small children or any other customer who may benefit from a seat near the front of the bus.

Show You Care: Priority And Courtesy Seating Flyer

Priority Seating

Image of the Priority Seating Sign.

Look for the sign

Priority seating is for the use of passengers with a disability. These seats are located close to the front of the vehicle. 


Customers are expected to respect and obey the purpose of the designated seating area, which means:

  • If you are sitting in one of these designated seats, you must vacate the seat for a passenger with a disability.

Guidelines:

  • A person with a disability occupying a priority seat is not required to move for another customer with a disability. Use of these seats is on a first-come first-served basis.
  • You are not required or expected to leave a transit vehicle in order to make room for a customer with a disability.
  • Drivers/operators will not enforce this requirement or intervene in any dispute related to priority seating.
  • We ask that you show consideration for those whose need is greater than your own.

Courtesy seating

Image of the Courtesy Seating Sign.

Look for the sign

Courtesy seating is intended to provide additional seating for people who benefit from having a seat near the front of the vehicle including:

  • Seniors
  • Expectant mothers
  • Adults traveling with infants or small children
  • Any other passenger who may benefit from a seat

Guidelines:

  • If you are sitting in one of these designated seats, please respect its purpose and give up your seat to those who need it.
  • Drivers/operators will not enforce this requirement or intervene in any dispute related to courtesy seating.
  • We ask that you respect this designated seating area and show consideration for those whose need is greater than your own.

Helpful reminders

The reason for separate priority seating and courtesy seating areas on a bus

  • The priority seating area is a regulatory requirement under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act. 
  • The courtesy seating area is provided in addition to the priority seating area for passengers who may benefit from a seat, but do not have a disability.

When you are a passenger with a disability and the priority seating area is full when you board the bus

  • Politely remind the customers seated in the priority seating area of its intended use and ask that they make room for you.
  • Please remember that passengers in the priority seating area may suffer from a disability that is not easily recognized by others and they may not be comfortable discussing it in public. 
  • If the passengers in the priority seating area do not move when requested, proceed to the courtesy seating area to find a seat.

Our drivers will not intervene in a dispute regarding a seat

  • The wording on the decal is a legal requirement under Regulation 191-11 but the regulation does not provide any reference to enforcement. 
  • Given the vast number and varying degree of disabilities, many of which are invisible, it is extremely difficult for a third party to determine who is more entitled to the priority seating area. As such, we expect customers to do the right thing.

If the bus is full and people are both seated and standing in the priority seating area

Public transit is first-come, first-served. Other passengers who have paid a fare are not expected to vacate the bus to make room for other passengers. 

If you are not comfortable completing your trip without a seat, please wait for the next bus.

Customer service

905-815-2020
transit@oakville.ca

This website uses cookies to enhance usability and provide you with a more personal experience. By using this website, you agree to our use of cookies as described on the Privacy & Legal page.