TransHelp turns 40
Celebrating our journey together
Launching and growing
TransHelp rolled out in 1981, providing door-to-door travel for residents with physical disabilities in Peel. Our workforce was just 13 people, with 8 full time operators and 2 customer service representatives.
Today's team has over 150 employees, including 72 operators and 33 customer service representatives, who help residents travel without barriers and remain independent.
Our expanding fleet
In the early days, 6 TransHelp vans provided transportation for 190 residents. By the 1990s the fleet grew to 25 specially equipped buses transporting 1,500 passengers.
By 2008, low-pressure propane systems were installed to lower greenhouse gas emissions and improve vehicle reliability. By 2009, Automatic Vehicle Locators (AVL) were installed to provide turn-by-turn directions and critical pick-up and drop-off information to operators.
Today, our 71 buses, together with contracted taxi vendors, provide transportation to more than 10,000 passengers living with physical, cognitive, visual, and sensory disabilities.
More regular and convenient service
In the early days there were service limitations. Bookings and cancellations had to be made several days in advance, and it took months to apply.
Today’s passengers enjoy a more spontaneous service and a faster application process. Applications are now processed within 2 weeks so eligible residents can start travelling quickly. Trips can be cancelled up to 4 hours before pick-up time, and we offer same-day booking and travel.
130,000
Trips per year in the 1990's
779,000
Trips in 2019
499%
Increase in trips over 2 decades
Scheduling made simple
Pencils and paper were all we used to schedule trips in the '80s. In the 1990s we went digital with online scheduling software that saved time and effort.
By 2010, passengers could confirm and cancel trips by phone and get reminder calls 30 minutes before the vehicle was scheduled to arrive.
Today, passengers can book and cancel trips online, anytime, and from any device thanks to upgrades to the original scheduling software. Passengers can also see where their TransHelp bus is in real time.
Service hours
When TransHelp started operating, passengers could travel Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with limited service on Saturdays and no service on Sunday.
Today, TransHelp is available 7 days a week, 365 days a year, from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m.
2.3 million
Km travelled per year in the 1990's
7.2 million
Km travelled in 2019
216%
Increase in km driven over 2 decades
Rolling into the future
Throughout the 1990s, TransHelp processed close to 800 applications per year and served 1,500 residents.
Fast forward a few years, and by 2019 we were processing 2,800 applications and serving more than 10,000 passengers. That’s 250% more people applying and us helping 567% more people get where they need to go.
Learn more about our TransHelp service, including how to apply.
A word from our passengers
Thank you to all our employees, passengers, vendors, Advisory Committee Members, community partners, and Regional Council members, past and present, who have supported this vital service over the years. We’ll continue to grow and evolve to best meet the needs of our passengers and our community for years to come.
