Amid public concerns over specialized transit in Niagara, officials with the Region say they are changing booking procedures.
The ride service is available by appointment only, and can be booked a maximum of 14 days before a trip.
Daily trips are being held at 100 trips per day, six days a week in light of serious funding shortfalls due to spiking demand.
According to a release, Niagara Specialized Transit ridership grew by 58% from 2016 to 2017. Officials say at that rate of growth, there would be insufficient funds to maintain the service for the rest of this year.
Users will now only be able to schedule a trip two weeks ahead of schedule, instead of a previous method that allowed riders to book well in advance for ongoing needs. Officials say the two week window will help to keep things fair for potential new riders.
Niagara Specialized Transit has come under fire recently as customers report being stranded by cancelled trips, or failing to make appointments due to frequent delays.
Two weeks ago, user Rhys Evans told Niagara Region's Public Health and Services Committee he has been forced to arrange alternate transportation for weeks due to sudden changes by the transit provider.
"We need people supporting us to help us become independent. The way the services is being run right now, you are robbing me and thousands of others of their independence."
Marlene Goodfield also joined CKTB's Niagara In the Morning With Tim Denis, saying she has been having problems with the service for some time. She says recently the service has been calling to inform her they cannot accommodate some of her medical trips.
"It's devastating really. I need to go to my doctor because of an illness that I have right now, but I know I won't be able to get a ride. My sister broke a tooth, called to get a ride to her dentist yesterday and they told her there was nothing available for two weeks. So here we are stuck, physically ill, needing to go to the doctor and not having a ride available."