Hashtag ParaParity empowers Para Transpo riders to advocate for a better and more accessible transit system through social media. 

 

While OC Transpo has an official site and hashtag on social media, there is none for Para Transpo.

 

The creation of the hashtag ParaParity links people closer and serves as a push to help share information across the community.

 

The hashtag ParaParity is mainly used on X (formerly Twitter), to amplify their voices, addressing the pressing need for an improved Para Transpo for people with disabilities. 

 

Sally Thomas, a public advocate for Ottawa Transit Riders and its sub-group ParaParity, noted her perspective on Para Transpo riders deserve to have equal opportunities like regular transit riders. 

 

“I deserve what you deserve.” Said Thomas.

 

Thomas pointed out the differences in how her autonomy was taken away. While regular riders have the box ticket at a reasonable level to purchase their fare, Para Transpo riders have to give the bus pass to the drivers for them to do it. 

 

“Lots of people in wheelchairs also have cognitive disabilities,” said Thomas. “But that doesn’t mean that we don’t deserve autonomy.” 

 

In 2021, the app “My Para Transpo,” a new self-serve system that lets Para Transpo customers book, cancel, and track their trips, was launched. 

 

The launch of the app was expected to give para transit riders better and on-time transit as normal transit service for regular riders since it allowed riders to manage their trip and bookings through a smartphone.

 

However, the lack of bus services and unfair booking and cancellation policies on the My Para Transpo app, are still the problems, which cause frustration for Para Transpo riders. 

 

“That’s a routine thing that happens on the weekends, where you have to wait for your bus for over an hour,” said Thomas. “If there were extra buses, no one would have to wait 90 minutes for a bus.”

 

For regular transit riders, they can go out for a coffee with their friends at any time they want.

 

For Para Transpo riders like Thomas, they have to book the bus 24 hours in advance for it to arrive, as the buses are “typically late” and drive her “all over the place.”

 

Cancelling the bus within two to three hours before the pickup time is considered late cancellation. 

 

“If you get a lot of them, there are consequences,” said Thomas. “Basically, they take away some of your privileges to use it.” 

 

“Using Para Transpo is not a privilege. It’s a right, it’s a service. It’s not a business.” Said Thomas.

 

Thomas’s passion is disability advocacy, and her goal is to provide greater opportunities for persons with disabilities.