Witnessing the launch of Via Transportation’s Paratransit service in Manchester, UK, in collaboration with Transport for Greater Manchester, brings immense satisfaction. It’s a privilege to partner with Via’s dedicated Paratransit teams worldwide. My personal experiences with paratransit, both for myself and loved ones, reinforce the understanding that paratransit’s significance transcends mere statistics. It’s about dismantling obstacles that prevent individuals with disabilities from fully engaging with their communities, accessing not only essential services like healthcare and employment but also social activities that enrich life. Public transit is fundamentally about freedom, and that freedom is inherently joyful.
From a data-driven perspective, the impact of these partnerships is undeniable. Recently, at Pierce Transit in Tacoma, the implementation of new features, including a driver break feature developed from initial launch feedback, resulted in an immediate 5% productivity increase across most routes. Prior to that, working with Suffolk Bus Corp, significant improvements were observed: no-shows decreased by 35%, average ride duration shortened by 27%, and on-time performance improved. Furthermore, collaborative efforts with a rider beta group are underway to introduce exciting rider self-service updates, enhancing user experience.
Each new ridership record from Delaware County Transit and every monthly report from HIRTA Public Transit, highlighting their innovative Health Connector pilot program, are testaments to progress. Similarly, reviewing rider app adoption rates following Trinity Metro’s recent Paratransit app launch is incredibly rewarding. These figures represent real people and the profound positive changes our partners facilitate daily in countless lives. The dedication to improving paratransit services resonates deeply, driving us to continually innovate and expand our reach, ensuring accessible and efficient transportation solutions are available to those who need them most, including within complex urban environments like NYC and beyond.
