As lines grow to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Transit Systems is helping agencies and groups make the ride a bit easier. Later this month, vehicles will help take clients from United Cerebral Palsy of Central California (UCPCC) to help get them vaccinated.
“When UCPCC mentioned they have about 150 – 180 clients they needed to transport, we thought of how we can help,” said Tom Blackmore, Transit Supervisor.
Before the pandemic, Transit Systems regularly transported clients with physical and developmental disabilities to and from UCPCC and other agencies. Now Transit is modifying its services to accommodate social distancing guidelines and agencies that may have changed their service model.
“The drivers that they hire and train have to be pretty special because our work can be challenging,” said Kelly Cunningham, Director of Adult Program Services at UCPCC. “All of our students are different, and Fresno EOC does a great job adapting based on what we need to do to meet the needs of the people we serve. We’ve been meeting weekly, and they continue to help as we work through this time.”
Fresno EOC Transit has been providing COVID-19 related transportation for testing and vaccines for several agencies since the pandemic began and will continue to offer their services wherever needed. In the meantime, the Health and safety of passengers remain one of Transit’s top priorities. Currently, only four riders are allowed on each vehicle unless riders are in the same household. Busses are also cleaned after every trip.
Transit’s cutaway style busses and large body makes the busses more accessible to individuals with bigger wheelchairs. “Not everyone we transport can just fit in a ride-sharing car or medical vehicle, some clients have wheelchairs that are harder to accommodate, but that’s where we can help,” Blackmore said.
With other contracts, the program provides rides to seniors, groups going to work and job training, and developmentally or disabled adults. All vehicles and maintenance staff meet or exceed California Highway Patrol and State Department of Education standards and requirements. If you or someone is interested in riding with us, please call. (800) 325-RIDE (7433). To learn more about opportunities and services with Transit Systems, click here.