Brevard County, Fla.’s Space Coast Area Transit launched its popular “Ride with Jim” quarterly transit events last year and continues to offer this experience for the community. The next event will take place in Melbourne on May 15. Ride with Jim provides the general public and transit advocates an opportunity to share coffee and conversation with those who help shape Brevard County’s Transit System.

Co-sponsored by Bagel 13, the May 15 event begins with a bus picking up registered riders at the Melbourne Square Mall transit stop and driving them to the Melbourne Bagel 13 restaurant for a chat over coffee and a bagel with new Assistant County Manager and 20-plus year Director of Space Coast Area Transit Jim Liesenfelt. As part of an overall focus on accessibility, the May 15 Ride with Liesenfelt event will transport attendees using a bus that features Q’Straint’s Quantum rear-facing wheelchair securement station. Space Coast Area Transit recently rolled out a pilot program that focuses on innovative solutions to advance the safety and effectiveness of wheelchair passenger travel.

Quantum is designed to ensure new levels of rider independence, safety, and dignity. Wheelchair-using passengers simply push a button to engage the system’s automatic locking sequence. Quantum’s arms move into position and secure the passenger’s mobility device by gripping its wheels. The system continues to adjust its grip as needed during the bus ride.

“Two Space Coast Area Transit buses were recently equipped with the Quantum at no cost to the transit agency,” stated Liesenfelt. “This system provides unique benefits such as additional safety for the disabled rider, as documented by the proven benefits of rear-facing child safety car seats; ease of securement for drivers; added independence for mobility riders; and faster boarding, meaning less curb time and more miles on the road. I look forward to spreading awareness of this program during Ride with Jim.”

Interested guests must pre-register online here.