CTA 101 - Making travel easier: what you need to know about curbside assistance
November 18, 2025 – Gatineau, QC – Canadian Transportation Agency
The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) is committed to making travel accessible to all, and to fostering an inclusive environment.
The CTA’s Accessible transportation for persons with disabilities regulations (ATPDR) outline clear obligations for terminal operators and transportation service providers (TSPs) to ensure that persons living with a disability receive timely and effective curbside assistance when entering or exiting transportation terminals.
Key highlights of CTA’s curbside assistance obligations
- Terminal operator responsibilities (i.e. airports, rail, ferry and bus carriers terminals, and Canadian ports used by cruise ships): upon request, operators must assist persons with disabilities from the curbside zone—where passengers are dropped off — to the check-in area or to a carrier representative. Similarly upon arrival at the destination, assistance must be provided from the terminal’s public area to the curbside zone.
- TSPs responsibilities: requirement to help passengers with disabilities reach the public area of the terminal after disembarking, ensuring a seamless transition to curbside assistance.
These measures are designed to support independent and dignified travel experiences for all Canadians and align with the Accessible Canada Act.
The CTA regularly collaborates with the community of persons living with a disability and with the Accessibility Advisory Committee to ensure that their lived experience and operational complexities inform our work. This helps shape the training, guidance and tools we develop.
To learn more about the CTA’s commitment to making travel accessible to all, please consult the resources available on our website.
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