[IMAGE]Star.jpg[/IMAGE]Tallahassee, Fla.'s StarMetro's paratransit service, Dial-A-Ride, placed 14 new buses on the streets, last week. The new 23-foot Challenger buses, manufactured by Champion Bus Inc., will replace older buses from Dial-A-Ride's current fleet.

The new buses seat 16 passengers and come equipped with three foldaway seats, three wheelchair positions and a rear lift. A grant from the Federal Transportation Authority paid for the complete replacement of the 14 buses at a cost of approximately $1.02 million.

"The replacement Dial-A-Ride vans will allow the City to continue to provide safe, timely and efficient transportation for our elderly and disabled citizens," said Donna Peacock, superintendent of Paratransit. "These vehicles are equipped with several new features designed for the comfort and safety of the citizen - a state-of-the-art farebox, three wheelchair securement areas with automatic self-tensioning belts, microbiotic fabric seats and a better suspension system for smoother rides."

In compliance with the American's with Disabilities Act, the Dial-A-Ride Program provides curb-to-curb service for those Tallahassee citizens who cannot access StarMetro's fixed-route service.