Passenger Bus, Rail and Motorcoach Industry News

A new partnership between CBORD, a provider of campus card and integrated security solutions to colleges and universities, and Creative Mobile Technologies, a supplier of in-taxi media and payment technologies, allows Emerson College and Suffolk University students to pay for taxi rides using campus card funds.

The program, funded through a $1.7 million federal New Freedom grant, will reimburse expenses to convert taxicabs to accommodate wheelchairs.

A continuing shortage of bus drivers has forced EZ-RIDER, the public transportation provider in Midland and Odessa, Texas, to partner with a local taxi company to provide service to its paratransit riders.

Accessibility Taxi began operating 15 new ADA-compliant MV-1 taxis in Prince George’s County, which lagged behind many other areas of Washington, D.C., in terms of wheelchair-accessible taxi service.

The original decision grew out of discussions on how to meet growing demand for custom transit services. The goal was to redirect funding from TaxiSaver to improve these services. However, customer feedback indicated that TaxiSaver provides a valuable service to those in need and is integral to making the transit system accessible.

The new taxis are Dodge Caravan mini-vans that have been specially modified by Viewpoint Mobility to accommodate wheelchairs and scooters in the rear compartment. The taxis cost $36,744.00 each and were funded in part by over $380,000 in New Freedom grants.

The service is run through Family Services of Westchester and helps clients coordinate the fastest and most cost-effective means of transportation — be it a local provider like a taxi, a paratransit vehicle or a ride from one of its volunteer drivers.

Each of the 20 vans operated by Royal Cab and Yellow Cab of D.C. features a special back-door ramp and hooks to secure a wheelchair or electric scooter.

Niagara, Ontario has subsidized a community shuttle service for two years, but budget strains have public works committee members considering eliminating the shuttle and providing seniors and students with $2 taxi coupons instead.