Using the new paratransit buses as their backdrop, (L-R) Transit manager Matt Coffey; Parkhurst Transportation Office Manager, Sherry Barker; Transit Committee Member Karen Kitchen and Chair of the City Transit Committee Jack Miller pose for a picture in the Belleville Transit parking lot on June 2, 2016. (Photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
The City of Belleville is opening the door to making sure everyone has the opportunity to comfortably get where they need to go.
Thursday, the City unveiled three new Overland Titan II paratransit buses with a total price tag of $390,000. Two other 2007 models have been decommissioned.
The trio come with dual air conditioning and upgraded lift capacity and will enhance passenger comfort, in addition to safety features which include fire suppression, rear camera, no slip floors, LED lighting and front to back grab bars. Each paratransit bus has the heightened capacity to accommodate up to five wheelchair passengers and six ambulatory passengers.
Transit committee member Karen Kitchen, who has lived most of her 53 years in a wheelchair said she’s excited to start riding the new buses Friday.
Kitchen explained she’s thrilled about the new automated scheduling software to assist in reducing the number of denied trips.
The service will also offer door-to-door rather than curb-to-curb service to ensure passengers are escorted safely to their destination.
Chair of the Transit Committee Jack Miller said the decision to make these changes is based upon years of input through the operational review to enhance and expand our existing service. “The addition of door-to-door service will be a welcoming change for our customers,” said Miller.
The paratransit buses will go into service immediately with the new service reaching full implementation by August 1, 2016.
