Community Transportation
CHATS Transportation Program (iRIDEplus) provides local and long-distance grouped drives to residents of York Region and South Simcoe to medical appointments, Adult Day Programs, personal errands and social outings.
Driver assistance includes minimal support in and out of vehicles and with some mobility equipment.
Grocery Bag Limit: 2-3 Bags. No Heavy Items i.e. case Water/Pop.
Non-medical drives will not be provided outside of York Region and South Simcoe.
Scheduling priority is given to life sustaining medical appointments.
Pick up times are based on volume of requests and the scheduling of multiple clients travelling together.
CHATS provides over 3500 drives per month.
Transportation Requirements
Eligibility
- Older adults and individuals aged 18 and over with physical or cognitive conditions who may be challenged accessing public transportation.
- Residents of York Region and South Simcoe.
- CHATS is unable to provide wheelchair-accessible transportation to residents of York Region. For accessible transportation needs, residents may wish to contact York Region Transit (YRT) to learn more about available services.
- Persons utilizing CHATS transportation service must:
- Be able to enter and exit the vehicle with minimal assistance (i.e. arm for support)
- Not require continuous supervision, unless travelling with an escort
- CHATS drivers do not accompany clients into appointments.
- Applicable fees for drives will be quoted at time of request.
Registration
- Complete Client Registration form to become a CHATS Transportation Client
- Drive requests may be submitted with a Client Registration form
- Following the submission of the Client Registration form, a service coordinator will contact you to complete the process
- You must speak to a service coordinator to proceed with registration. If you are unavailable when called, please return the call.
Complete the Registration Form
Request a Drive
- Complete Drive Request Form to request a drive.
- Drive request may be submitted with a completed Client Registration Form. Current Transportation clients do not need to complete a Client Registration form.
- Drive will be confirmed 2 business days prior to drive date. Availability is not guaranteed at time of request.
About Our Drivers
CHATS drives are made possible by an exceptional team of caring staff and volunteers.
Each driver is carefully screened and extensively trained, bringing experience, reliability, and trust to every journey. Their priority is to provide safe transportation and a positive, enjoyable experience for every client.
Frequently Asked Questions
CHATS cannot provide same day/last-minute drives. All drives must be requested a minimum of 3 business days prior. Drive will be confirmed 2 business days prior to the drive.
There is a fee for all drives. The Service Coordinator will let you know the fee when you request your drive.
Parking fees are the responsibility of the client.
You must have exact change for the drive fee as change will not be provided.
CHATS offers a Pre-Authorized Payment Plan. You will be authorizing both CHATS and your bank to withdraw payments for your CHATS monthly account at the end of the month following your drive.
CHATS is unable to provide all drives requested. All drives are prioritized with lifesaving medical appointments having priority.
Drives are confirmed 2 business days before the drive date. It is recommended to have a backup plan in the event the drive cannot be provided.
There will be multiple passengers in the vehicle and multiple stops due to the high demand for drives. The pickup times will be provided by the driver and must accommodate all passengers and their appointments. You must be prepared to spend additional time in the vehicle.
An escort may travel with you only if you are not physically or cognitively able to travel alone. CHATS is unable to provide all drives requested and must ensure seats are occupied by clients needing to get to their appointments. Escorts must be included with your drive request, or they will not be able to travel. They must be able to sit in the rear seat of a van if there are other passengers.
CHATS is unable to provide all drives requested and must decline several drives every day. If you wish to cancel your drive, please give as much notice as possible so someone else can be taken in your place. Please try to avoid last-minute, same-day cancellations.
Drives are provided Monday to Friday, with pick-up starting at 8:00 a.m. and drop-off at the final destination by 5:00 p.m. Some scheduling accommodations may be available at the discretion of CHATS.
Coordinators are available by phone from 8:30 – 4:30 Monday to Friday.
If you prefer to connect online, you may contact the transportation team by email at transport@chats.on.ca or using our online drive request form on our website at www.chats.on.ca.
CHATS is unable to provide wheelchair-accessible transportation to residents of York Region. For accessible transportation needs, residents may wish to contact York Region Transit (YRT) to learn more about available services.
