The Greater Richmond Transit Co. (GRTC) launched a new mobility solution for paratransit customers, which offers same-day and direct non-stop service.

GRTC’s Board of Directors awarded a contract to UZURV, a local reservation network company, to deliver the new service called CARE On-Demand for one pilot year beginning August 1, 2017.

All CARE customers are eligible for CARE On-Demand (C-VAN customers are not eligible). The benefits of this partnership to customers include: direct, non-stop service; requesting a trip for same-day service; flexibility to schedule a reservation up to 30 days in advance; freedom to ride solo; ability to bring guests, a Personal Care Assistant (PCA), or a service animal; ability to travel anywhere within the GRTC CARE service area; and the option to request favorite driver(s).

Initially during this pilot, a limited number of CARE On-Demand trips will be offered Monday to Friday from 7AM to 6PM and will be on a first-come, first-served basis. More trips and potentially extended service hours will be offered over time as the pilot program grows.

The cost for a CARE On-Demand ride is $6.00. GRTC will pay for up to an additional $15.00 of the cost of the ride. Any additional cost will be the customer’s responsibility, and the customer will know in advance what the total cost will be of their trip.

CARE On-Demand customers may begin making reservations through UZURV on August 1, 2017 by calling the UZURV Call Center at (804)-499-3400. UZURV is currently developing an app update to also enable CARE On-Demand reservations on smart devices; this additional reservation option will be available at a later date during the pilot.

• When making a reservation, the customer receives a description of their assigned driver, vehicle, and the type of Transportation Network Company (TNC) picking them up.

• Customers may also request specific amenities or special accommodations, such as low-entry vehicles or trunk space for personal items.

• UZURV assigns a pick-up time for the customer — a “window” consisting of no earlier than 15 minutes before or 15 minutes after the scheduled pick-up time.

• If a trip is scheduled more than a day in advance, customers will receive a reminder call the day before the reservation.