Steamboat Springs Transit (SST) recently put into service a new specialized vehicle that begins a new transportation chapter in paratransit services for the community entitled Accesstheboat.
“We take great pride in providing high-quality, safe, reliable and courteous transportation service every day,” commented Transit Manager Jonathan Flint. “For the past decade, SST has continued to evolve the paratransit options for residents and guests in the community, and the new customized vehicle along with the launch of Accesstheboat lifts our commitment to a new level.”
T
he new paratransit vehicle coincides with the overall rebranding of SST’s paratransit service to Accesstheboat. The new name acknowledges the focus of paratransit service that promotes accessibility to transportation within the SST service area. With more than 2,000 passenger trips in 2018, the program continues to grow in popularity and is a dynamic component to an active passenger segment SST serves.
Purchased with the assistance of a Federal Transit Administration’s 5311 Formula Grant for Rural Areas, the new Ford van has a smaller footprint than the previous paratransit vehicle it replaces. Both the hydraulic lift and passenger entry are accessed via the sliding passenger door, improving boarding for ambulatory and wheelchair passengers.
Seating is available for up to six passengers and an innovative floor design allows for unlimited securement combinations that accommodate a multitude of mobility devices from large battery-powered wheelchairs to the lightweight, wide-based sport chairs that have become popular in Steamboat Springs’ active community. Equipped with 4-wheel drive, this van is set up to handle all seasons and every condition.
The City of Steamboat Springs offers paratransit transportation service at no cost to those who are unable to independently use SST bus service, or other fixed route service due to a disability or health related condition some, or all of the time. This service is provided as part of the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Information about paratransit can be obtained at www.steamboatsprings.net/transit.
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Contact
Jonathan Flint, Transit Manager, 970.879.3717 or email
Tyler Kern, Operations Manager, 970.879.3717 or email