Staff Report #3
September 15, 2026
To All Members of the Accessible Public Transit Service Advisory Committee
Re: Packages on Transit Policy
Recommendation
That the Committee:
- RECOMMEND the Commission confirm the current policy with respect to packages on transit; and
- RECOMMEND the Commission direct Administration to undertake a communications campaign which clearly articulates the policy across all platforms
Background
London Transit’s policy with respect to packages on-board buses applies to both the conventional and specialized services. The policy was created in order to mitigate safety risks for customers on-board the services, and essentially limits the number of packages transported on public transit to those that can be maintained in the care and control of the rider without blocking other seats, aisles or other areas of the vehicle.
Given the differences in operating protocols between the conventional and specialized services, efforts to explain this policy explicit to each service has resulted in some confusion for customers. By way of example, on the specialized service, there are accompanying policies which clarify that drivers will not provide assistance with loading parcels. This policy is necessary for the specialized service given the requirement for drivers to provide assistance to customers boarding the vehicle and is not required on the conventional service as this level of assistance is not provided.
As part of the policy review, Administration looked to other transit operations across the country, and found that all twelve systems who responded have a similar policy which has been established for the same safety concerns. While three of the system respondents indicated their policy specified a number of parcels, the remaining respondents relied on similar language to that in place at LTC (must remain in the care and control of the rider). Those that included a specific number also include the caveat that anything deemed unsafe by the operator will be refused.
In all cases, the determination with respect to policy adherence and the potential for a safety concern is left to the discretion of the driver. Administration is recommending the existing language remain in place as it provides greater flexibility to the customer noting if a limit is established, it would have to be such that every customer would be able to ensure care and control up to that limit.
The packages on transit policy being recommended to remain in place is set out below.
The number of parcels a customer can bring on-board is limited to those that can be maintained in the care and control of the rider without blocking other seats, aisles or other areas of the vehicle.
The report recommendation is that a communication campaign be undertaken which clearly articulates the policy for all services, which may include on-board messaging. Once the policy has been reconfirmed by the Commission, the corporate website, new registrant package (specialized service) and on-board messaging will be updated to ensure consistent messaging on all platforms.
Recommended by:
David Butler, Director of Operations – Conventional
Shawn Wilson, Director of Operations – Specialized
Concurred in by:
Kelly S. Paleczny, General Manager