CTA Regulation Mandates Free Caregiver Travel in Canada

Disabled passengers who travel on domestic planes, trains, buses or ferries within Canada may be eligible for free caregiver fares under the One Person One Fare regulation (otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/highlights-one-person-one-fare-policy-decision). This regulation mandates that domestic carriers cannot charge a disabled person for their caregiver’s fare, if that caregiver’s assistance is required during their journey. In 2008 this regulation was challenged in the Supreme Court of Canada, but in the end the rule was upheld. There are of course a few restrictions; so here’s what you need to know to get free caregiver travel under the One Person One Fare regulation.

The Program

One Person One Fare mandates free caregiver travel it you fall under the requirements of the regulation. First off, the passenger needing assistance has to be disabled as defined by the Canada Transportation Act. That definition includes “any impairment, including a physical, mental, intellectual, cognitive, learning, communication or sensory impairment — or a functional limitation — whether permanent, temporary or episodic in nature, or evident or not, that, in interaction with a barrier, hinders a person’s full and equal participation in society.”

Furthermore, the passenger has to require assistance with their personal care or safety during the flight. This can include assistance with:

• Eating
• Taking medication
• Using the washroom
• Orientation or communication
• Responding to an emergency

One Person One Fare doe not apply if you just need assistance boarding, help with your luggage or attendant care at your destination. This regulation generally applies to people with severe disabilities who cannot travel alone.

The Process

So how do you get free caregiver travel under the One Person One Fare regulation? First and foremost, check the website of your transportation carrier, as most have detailed instructions on the documentation required for the One Person One Fare exemption. Most carriers have a “fitness to travel” form that needs to be filled out by a physician. This form has detailed questions about your medical condition and limitations. A separate doctors certificate may also be required.

It may take the carrier between 48 and 96 hours to get back to you after you have submitted your forms, And if they have any questions, then the whole process will take even longer. It’s essential to plan ahead and allow adequate time to get the required forms completed and signed.

Granted, the first time that you fill out the documents is time intensive, but the good news is, that you don’t have to do it for every trip. Ask your carrier to keep a copy of the documentation on file, and save a copy for yourself, just in case. The documentation is good for three years, so it you travel with the same carrier you won’t have to resubmit it during that time.

One Person One Fare helps more folks get out and travel domestically. So the next time you travel within Canada, don’t forget to make advance plans for your free caregiver travel under this program. It may take a little extra planning, but it’s worth it in the long run.