How to book your ride

Sarnia Care-A-Van - A Transit Service for people with physical disabilities

Helping you get where you need to be!

AFTER HOURS SAME DAY EMERGENCY CANCELLATIONS ONLY CALL: 519-464-3444

WHO ARE WE?

Sarnia Care-A-Van is a transportation service offered to eligible persons in the Sarnia and Point Edward areas. Our main function is transporting eligible
people to Work, School, Medical appointments, Therapy etc.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

Guidelines for the use of Sarnia Care-A-Van are as follows:

persons who are physically unable to climb or descend steps used on conventional public transit services and/or

persons who are unable to walk a distance of 175 metres (575 feet) or persons who have a visual impairment from Nov. 1st - Mar. 31^st

CARE-A-VAN HOURS OF OPERATION
(subject to change)

Monday to Friday 6:30 a.m. to 10:45 p.m.

Saturday 8:00 a.m. to 10:45 p.m.

Sunday 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

Care-a-Van Service does not run on most Statutory Holidays

OFFICE HOURS

Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Office CLOSED on: Saturdays, Sundays & Statutory Holidays

FARES (Fares are subject to change)

It is best to check with the office for the current fare rate. Fare can be paid in cash, with tickets or passes which are available at our office and all regular ticket outlets. If you’re having difficulty getting out to purchase passes, please call the office to enquire about our subscription Fare.

REQUEST FOR SERVICE

Telephone the dispatch office at 336-3789 and have the following information ready:

your name and registration number

your pick up address

your destination

arrival time desired

time of your return

your return destination

Leave a message on our answering machine and we will respond to your request as soon as possible

PLEASE NOTE:

Advance bookings can be made up to 30 days ahead for medical appointments and up to 5 working days ahead for all other appointments
Same day service requests MAY be accommodated – if possible
Standing arrangements for service MAY be available for persons traveling at a regular pre-determined time to and from a destination such as work or school IF POSSIBLE. Standing arrangements will NOT BE allowed for trips for shopping, entertainment, recreation/physical fitness (with no therapeutic value).)

CANCELLATIONS/TIME CHANGES

Cancellations should be called in to the Care-A-Van office by 9 AM the day of the trip

Cancellations NOT called in by 9:00 a.m., cancellations at the door OR NO SHOWS (you are not there to take your ride) will result in a charge of the regular CASH FARE as if you had actually taken the trip. This fee will be due the next time you ride the Care-A-Van. If the fee is not paid at that time you will not be allowed to book again until the fee is paid

Let us know immediately if your plans change and your booking is not required. The time you reserved can then be used for someone else

Also anyone who has a PERMANENT booking and continually cancels these bookings will be removed from the PERMANENT status and will have to book in advance from then on

An after hours phone number is available to accept same day emergency cancellations from Mon. to Fri. from 3:00 pm to 10:30 pm and on Saturdays from 7:00 am to 10:30 pm & Sundays 7:00 am - 6:00 pm - PLEASE CALL: 519-464-3444

YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

Service is from accessible door to accessible door. If assistance is required for any reason, you must be accompanied by an attendant or have one present where necessary. Anyone accompanying you must pay a fare. We reserve the right to deny service temporarily or permanently, if a required attendant is not provided

Please be ready about 15 minutes before your scheduled time. If you are more than 5 minutes late past your scheduled time the driver will proceed to the next scheduled call and you will be responsible for alternate transportation

During the winter, please keep lanes, side walks and especially steps clear of snow and ice for your safety and ours

Please be considerate in your demands on the drivers. They have a schedule to keep, so they cannot run errands for you. Please limit parcels to a manageable amount for you and your attendant

All passengers must wear seatbelts, except where exempted for medical reasons

No Smoking on vehicles

Expect to share your ride with others and allow for a longer ride on the bus

If visiting a doctor or medical center, inform them you are using the Care-A-Van when you make your appointment so they can assist in keeping you on schedule

Please contact us before changing to a larger wheelchair as this may cause some problems with your pick up in regards to the size of van required.

From time to time demand may exceed capacity, so we may not be able to accommodate you every time you request a ride. If you wish, you can be put on a waiting list for the time requested and you will be called if there is a cancellation

VISITING OUR CITY

For persons who are registered to use a similar transit system in their City, proof of registration will allow you to book the Care-A-Van in Sarnia when visiting our City. Contact our office for details