Officer arranges refurbished Wheel Trans buses for New Visions Toronto

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) has donated two refurbished Wheel Trans buses to New Visions Toronto (NVT) which is a non-profit organization that assists people with complex physical and developmental disabilities.

“This gift of mobility that the TTC has provided us is monumental,” said Acting Inspector Brian Maslowski, the NVT Board of Directors President, who was instrumental in obtaining these vans.  “The TTC Wheel Trans program is critical to NVT’s transportation needs.  This donation is making a world of difference for the people supported by the organization.”

The Toronto Police officer first began supporting the organization 15 years ago and in 2020, he became a volunteer board member.   The agency is provincially funded and employs 200 full-time and part-time staff members, which makes the position challenging in light of increasing costs.   

Andy Rotsma, NVT Executive Director, said many of the people that the organization supports rely heavily on Toronto transit.

“Wheel Trans has been great and always courteous,” he added. “We know we will have many happy years with these vehicles.” 

TTC Interim Chief Executive Officer Greg Percy said partnering with NVT is beneficial for both organizations

“I think we are in the same business in that we are plugged into the community, trying to make it better,” he noted. 

Recently, Maslowski arranged to have NVT as part of the Officer Experience Program at the Toronto Police College.  

“This too was a huge success,” he noted.  “I think it’s important to ensure recruits are exposed to people with complex developmental and physical disabilities in a learning environment.”

You can follow NVT on Instagram @newvisionstoronto if you wish to learn more.