Mobility Ventures LLC and the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) announced that 70 wheelchair-accessible MV-1s will be added to MTA’s paratransit fleet, Access-A-Ride in an effort to increase public transportation accessibility in a city with over half a million people living with ambulatory impairments.

The city’s Access-A-Ride, which already has nearly 400 MV-1s in service, is a shared-ride, door-to-door service for people unable to use public buses and subways. Replacing small buses with the MV-1 has helped the MTA save costs due to MV-1’s proven durability and reduced maintenance needs.

“Increasing the number of MV-1s in MTA’s fleet is a top priority for Mobility Ventures due to the city’s large population of people with disabilities and the need to provide equal opportunity for public transportation,” said Pat Kemp, executive VP, Mobility Ventures. 

MV-1, the first and only American-made wheelchair-accessible vehicle, comes standard with a built-in side-entry ramp, ample head room and seating for up to five making it applicable for Access-A-Ride users, commercial use and government fleets, according to the company.