MaryRose B., age 90

Desperation brought MaryRose to Via, but the ease of using the transportation service has kept her on the bus for the last five years.

Having moved to Colorado from Southern California to be closer to her daughter, MaryRose was not prepared to ride the bus when it became apparent that driving was no longer a safe option. While she did attempt a few bus trips, she never felt comfortable or confident while riding. And relying on her family stressed her daughter’s schedule and their relationship.

Via changed MaryRose’s outlook. “I like Via because it’s easy to schedule a trip, and the drivers are so helpful and kind. I can tell they enjoy what they are doing, and that makes the trips enjoyable for me,” she said.

Today MaryRose is as active and independent as she ever was when driving. She plays bridge weekly at the East Boulder Recreation Center, does her grocery shopping, goes to doctor’s appointments and attends activities at the Boulder West Senior Center. She doesn’t plan on slowing down as long as Via can keep up with her schedule!

John H., age 88
John and his wife, Ninetta, have been married for 68 years and they have four children. About a year ago, Ninetta sustained a head injury after a fall and had to move into a skilled nursing facility. Every day, John would drive to visit Ninetta at her new home. His vision was declining and it was no longer safe for him to operate a car.

Their son Jack, had heard about Via and encouraged his dad to use the service. Now Via drivers bring John to visit his wife every day. John says he is so grateful because Via keeps him connected to Ninetta. Their children appreciate Via because it keeps John and everyone else on the road safe.

Bonnie M., age 38
When Bonnie learned that her new job required her to travel locally she was terrified about riding RTD.

“I literally cried just thinking about what I was going to have to do. I had so many fears about not getting off at the right stop or even if the bus would stop. And I’m terrible with directions.” Bonnie has cerebral palsy and uses a wheelchair.

Bonnie enrolled in Via’s travel training program and began working with a travel trainer to learn to safely, comfortably and competently use the public fixed route system.

With the trainer’s assistance, she practiced taking bus routes to multiple destinations, including from her home in Boulder to work in Thornton. “We did the routes over and over again because that’s what I needed before I felt confident that I could do it by myself.”

Bonnie credits the travel training program with not just giving her the skills she needed to ride the bus but also the confidence to overcome what previously seemed like insurmountable barriers – inaccessible bus stops, missed buses, and figuring out new destinations.

“The travel training program has opened so many doors for me. Now I know that if the bus goes there, I can go there.”

Steve M., age 63
An engineer, athlete and professional ski instructor for more than 24 years, Steve had set ambitious goals for himself. A life-changing ski accident last year reopened a childhood spinal fusion. A stroke while in emergency surgery compounded the damage, producing a traumatic spinal cord injury.

“I am going to recover,” Steve said to himself the first day woke up from surgery. “I am going to fight this injury with everything I have. I will walk again. I will work again.”

Marginally aware of Via before his injury, Steve now rides several times a week. Steve found an innovative spinal cord injury treatment locally, one of only a few of its kind in America, using new technologies in exercise and neuroscience.

“You bring me to my healers,” Steve says about Via. “You are my partner in recovery. You are helping me to rebuild my life.”