Support Person Assistance Card
The TTC Support Person Assistance Card is a photo card that identifies the eligible cardholder as someone who needs to be accompanied by a support person during their commute.
The card allows one support person to travel with the cardholder at no additional charge.
Support Person
A support person is someone who assists with communication, mobility, personal care / medical needs, or access to services or facilities throughout the cardholder’s journey on the TTC.
The cardholder can travel with a different support person at different times. The Support Person Assistance Card belongs to the person requiring support, the cardholder. A support person cannot travel for free without the cardholder.
Applying for a Support Person Card
You must complete an application form. For more information on the application process, visit our Application Process page. You can get your photo taken at Bathurst Station or TTC’s Customer Service Centre above Davisville Station. Contact TTC Customer Service at 416-393-3030 if you have more questions.
Paying a fare when travelling with a support person
The cardholder must first pay a fare by tapping a PRESTO card, PRESTO Ticket, debit/credit card, or mobile device on a card reader or fare gate, or by depositing cash in a fare box or in the Fares and Transfers Machine on a streetcar. At least one fare must be paid before they or their support person can show the Support Person Assistance Card, to indicate that their designated support person is travelling with them and is not required to pay a fare. The Support Person Assistance Card may be shown to an Operator on a bus, a customer Service Agent at a station, or a Provincial Offences Officer. The cardholder may be asked to provide proof of fare payment to allow their support person to travel with them for free.
Any additional companions or people travelling with the cardholder and their designated support person, must also pay a fare.
Support Person Card Frequently Asked Questions
General
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Does the Support Person Assistance Card expire?
Yes, the Support Person Assistance Card expires every five years, on the cardholder’s birthday, since disabilities may change. Temporary cards with a shorter expiry date will be available for temporary disabilities. The temporary card expires on the date posted on the card. Cardholders may apply to renew their card when it expires.
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I will be visiting Toronto, can I apply for a Support Person Assistance Card?
Yes. Visitors may apply for a Support Person Assistance Card by submitting an application that is certified by an authorized health care professional. You may apply by mail before starting your trip, however, please allow two to four weeks processing time to receive your card. Otherwise, a visitor and their Support Person must both pay a fare. Support person assistance cards/stickers from other Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa transit agencies are now valid on the TTC.
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Wheel-Trans requires me to travel with a support person at all times. Do I still need to apply for a Support Person Assistance Card?
Yes. You still need to apply for a Support Person Assistance Card. Wheel-Trans has embedded the support person assistance card in the Wheel-Trans application package as section E. However, Wheel-Trans does not manage the support person assistance card applications. The support person applications will be forwarded to TTC Customer Service for processing. Eligibility for Wheel-Trans does not automatically qualify you for a support person assistance card, or vice versa.
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How do I prove I need a support person?
The application includes a section that must be filled out by one of the following authorized regulated health care professionals:
- Family Doctor or other Physician, including Psychiatrist
- Physiotherapist
- Optometrist
- Audiologist
- Psychologist
- Chiropractor
- Occupational Therapist
- Speech Language Pathologist
- Registered Nurse
- Certified Orientation & Mobility Specialist
The health care professional must certify that because of a disability, you need to be accompanied by a support person, and must certify whether the disability is permanent or temporary.
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How much does the Support Person Assistance Card cost?
There is no charge for the card.
The TTC will not reimburse any costs incurred to complete the application.
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Am I still eligible for a Support Person Assistance Card if my disability is temporary?
Yes. You are still eligible to apply for a Support Person Assistance Card if your disability is temporary.
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Where do I get my photo taken for the Support Person Assistance Card? Can I provide my own photo?
You can get your photo taken at Bathurst Station. Alternatively, applicants may mail in the application with one (1) colour passport photo. Further details are provided on the application form
Using a Support Person Assistance Card
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How do I use my Support Person Assistance Card?
You or your support person will pay your fare by tapping a PRESTO card, PRESTO Ticket, PRESTO card in Google Wallet, or debit/credit card on a card reader or fare gate, or by depositing a TTC ticket, token or cash in a fare box or in the Fares and Transfers Machine on a streetcar. Once the fare has been paid, you or your support person can show an Operator on a bus, Collector or Customer Service Agent at a station or a Fare Inspector on a Proof-of-Payment route the Support Person Assistance Card to indicate that your support person is travelling with you and is not required to pay a fare.
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Will my support person require a PRESTO card?
A support person accompanying a person with a disability isn’t required to pay a fare when travelling on the TTC and therefore doesn’t need a PRESTO card when travelling with the person they are supporting.
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Can I bring more than one support person with me?
You can, but only one person is eligible to travel for free when supporting you during your journey on the TTC.
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Do children who travel with a support person need to pay a fare?
As long as they are 12 years or younger, they are free. Otherwise, they will need to pay a fare.
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Do I always have to travel with the same support person?
No. You may choose a different support person each time you travel.
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Can I lend my Support Person Assistance Card to someone else?
No. You cannot lend your Support Person Assistance card to someone else. You are able to travel with a different support person each time you travel, but you cannot lend your card to someone else to use when you are not travelling. Fraudulent use of this and other TTC photo identification cards is an offence under TTC By-law No. 1 and is subject to a fine and permanent loss of the card.
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Can my support person travel for free when they are not travelling with me?
No. The Support Person Assistance Card can only be used when someone is supporting you when you are travelling on the TTC. Fraudulent use of this and other TTC photo identification cards is an offence under TTC By-law No. 1 and is subject to a fine and permanent loss of the card.
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I lost my Support Person Assistance Card. Can I get another one?
Please call TTC Customer Service at 416-393-3030 and they will assist.
The Bathurst Photo ID Office is not able to replace a lost Support Person Assistance Card, or renew an expired Support Person Assistance card unless a completed application is provided.
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Why do I have to renew my Support Person Assistance Card every three years?
Renewing your card every three years ensures that the information on the Support Person Assistance Card is accurate and up-to-date. Changes in personal circumstances or medical needs may occur and the renewal process allows us to better serve you by maintaining current records. It also ensures that the cardholder continues to meet the eligibility criteria for the fare exemption program.