Accessible Transportation Regulations for Canadian Bus Operators
in the Intercity Scheduled Service sector
Canada’s national transportation network is built on accessibility and inclusion. If you operate an intercity scheduled service that crosses provincial and international borders or manage a terminal—it’s important to understand which federal accessibility rules may apply to your business.
Three key frameworks shape these requirements: the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR), the Accessible Transportation Planning and Reporting Regulations (ATPRR), and the Accessible Canada Act (ACA).
Who Must Comply
The first step in ATPDR compliance for motorcoach operators is understanding your company’s service type and size.
Federally regulated bus operators, providing passenger service between provinces or across international borders, generally fall under the ATPDR.
Local or provincial operators that operate within one province only are typically not federally regulated and therefore not covered under the ATPDR, although provincial or municipal accessibility standards may still apply.
Charter-only services or buses with 39 or fewer passenger seats are exempt from ATPDR requirements.
Bus terminals owned or operated by a company with 10 or more employees (on average over the previous two years) also fall under the ATPDR.
For planning and reporting, companies with 10 or more employees that operate as part of the federal transportation network must comply with the ATPRR, even if they are smaller in scope.
Comparing the ATPDR, ATPRR, and ACA
| Regulation | Applies To | Core Requirements | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| ATPDR | Bus carriers offering interprovincial or international services, and their terminals (10+ staff) | Sets service, training, communication, equipment, and facility accessibility standards. Covers staff training, accessible announcements and websites, boarding assistance, mobility aid spaces, and accessible terminal features. | Read ATPDR |
| ATPRR | Federally regulated carriers and terminals with 10+ employees | Requires companies to create accessibility plans, feedback processes, and progress reports identifying and removing barriers. | Read ATPRR |
| ACA | All federally regulated transportation organizations | Provides the legal foundation for accessibility in federal jurisdictions and gives authority to create ATPDR and ATPRR regulations. | Read ACA |
What These Regulations Mean for You
If you operate nationally or across borders
You must meet ATPDR accessibility requirements and prepare ATPRR reports and feedback plans. Your staff should be trained to assist passengers with disabilities, your website and announcements must be accessible, and your vehicles and terminals must be designed with accessibility in mind.
If you operate locally or within one province only
Federal accessibility rules may not apply to you—but adopting similar practices demonstrates commitment to inclusion and prepares your company for future growth into regulated services. You may also have to meet provincial accessibility standards (such as Ontario’s AODA).
If your company or terminal has fewer than 10 employees
While the ATPDR and ATPRR thresholds do not apply, accessibility practices and customer service training can still help attract riders and improve service quality for those with mobility needs.
Accessibility Complaints and Undue Hardship
Under Part V of the Canada Transportation Act, all federally regulated transportation service providers must make their services accessible unless doing so would cause undue hardship—meaning that removing a barrier would be impossible or impose serious difficulties.
The Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) handles accessibility complaints. Even if a company follows all applicable regulations, the CTA can still require corrective action if it finds that an undue barrier exists.
Why Compliance Matters
Meeting ATPDR compliance and federal accessibility reporting requirements isn’t only about following the law—it’s good business. Accessible transportation expands your customer base, improves safety and service quality, and demonstrates leadership in inclusivity.
By reviewing staffing levels, routes, and equipment types, bus operators in Canada can easily determine which accessible bus regulations apply and take steps to ensure that no traveler is left behind.