PARATRANSIT CENTRAL

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The Paratransit Industry Channel touches on issues important to paratransit providers, including recruiting and retention, funding, and utilizing technology to enhance customer service, efficiency and cost savings. Articles focus on safety and security considerations for serving passengers with specialized transportation needs. Examine how the latest wheelchair access and restraint systems, advances in on-line scheduling and automatic vehicle location (AVL) technologies are being used in the paratransit industry to meet safety regulations, reduce operating costs, and improve customer satisfaction.

September 2, 2010

Report: More transit means more jobs vs. highway projects

Investment in public transit tends to be more labor-intensive than highway projects because the...

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September 1, 2010

MV donates $20K to aid disabled in Haiti

The Freedom of Mobility Donation will allow the group to provide mobility devices, such as wheelchairs...

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August 26, 2010

Pace, Omnitrans extend First Transit contracts

Both extensions call for company to continue providing paratransit services.

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August 25, 2010

NYC Accessible Dispatch pilot saw low customer usage

Project provided 5,828 dispatches in two years, for a cost of $177 per call. The Taxi & Limo Commission...

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Technology Helps Paratransit Services Go Lean

While 70 percent of respondents saw ridership increase, fewer plan to buy new vehicles next year and many have had to reduce service to meet tighter budgets. In many cases, software, mobile data terminals and other technologies are helping agencies streamline services.

Training key to controlling costs

Travel trainers teach disabled and older persons to use local public transportation fixed-route services safely and independently

Contractors Provide Expertise, Flexibility

With long years of experience in providing transit services, contractors can offer public agencies improved efficiency and cost savings.

Providers Seek to Maximize Paratransit Efficiency, Cut Costs

As economic pressures continue to affect transit agencies, some are raising fares and initiating service cuts to keep budgets in line. In many regions, paratransit passengers face the greatest impact from service cuts as most rely on those services as a low-cost mode of transportation.

PRODUCTS

Two-camera observation monitor

The Voyager AOM562A, a 5.6-inch, heavy-duty color LCD two-camera observation monitor, aids drivers in backing up, changing lanes, merging into traffic and making wide right turns. Strategically sized to fit in vehicles that have limited dash room, it includes and unobtrusive LCD screen. With two camera inputs and a built-in speaker, the monitor can be paired with any combination of two Voyager rear- or side-vision observation cameras. Features easy-to-use front controls and injection-molded plastic housing for durability and weather resistance.

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Automatic Tire Chain System

Without having to stop the vehicle, the Onspot Automatic Tire Chain System offers the traction of a single set of conventional snow chains at the flip of a dashboard switch. An electric switch mounted in the cab provides 12 volts to an air solenoid mounted in the vehicle's frame rail. Designed for ice, packed snow and up to six inches of snow, the chain system eliminates wheel well damage from broken conventional chains. Other benefits include more hauling force, faster acceleration and a reduced stopping distance. DOT-approved in all 50 states.

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DEPARTMENTS

Central Arkansas weathers recession with budgeting, stimulus funding

Using $5.4 million in stimulus funding it received, the Central Arkansas Transit system purchased four paratransit vehicles and eight fixed-route buses. As a result, Executive Director Betty Wineland said that for the first time in more than 33 years, the agency will have no buses in its fleet that exceed the recommended 12-year retirement age.

A Call to Action for Transit

$1 billion of stimulus investment in transportation infrastructure supports 28,000 jobs. $12 billion in new transit funding would create more than 330,000 new jobs.

Technology's impact has multiple dimensions and challenges

As we look to expand the industry and procure new equipment to meet the growing demand for public transportation, governments and agencies must fund the talent side of our growing need.

Travel Software to Aid Disabled Riders

To use the Travel Assistance Device, riders simply plan their trip online and follow the visual and verbal instructions on their cell phone.