Longmont clients:
We know it is likely that you are experiencing greater difficulty in receiving the rides you are requesting. Like you, we are very unhappy with this situation. We currently turn down approximately 3% of Longmont trip requests because our schedules are full. The truth is that Longmont has the fastest growing populations of older adults and individuals living with disabilities of any community we serve, and we are currently at capacity on our paratransit program with the funding we have available to serve your community.
As a potential alternative, I want to make you aware of the Ride Free Longmont program, a six month program (July 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014) that provides free rides on local Longmont RTD service – routes 323, 324, 326 and 327. Riders may request a transfer which can be used as a $2.25 credit when transferring to the Bolt, J and L routes or Longmont Call-n-Ride. (Via Paratransit is not an RTD service, so transfers cannot be used.)
This program also extends to RTD’s Access-a-Ride paratransit service. Trips that originate in Longmont will be given a $4.50 credit. This means that a local Access-a-Ride trip will be free to the rider, and any trip leaving Longmont will receive a $4.50 credit towards the required fare. Transfers are not issued on Access-a-Ride. For more information email, Via’s Mobility Specialist, or call her at 303-447-2848, ext. 1047.
If you live near a bus route and would like to take advantage of this free-fare program, Via can help. We offer Travel Training to assist you in learning to use public transportation.
A travel instructor will come to your home, find out where you want to go, plan the route and travel with you to/from your destination. The instructor can ride with you until you are familiar with the route and can take the trip independently. For more information, email: Susan Unger, Via’s Travel Training Coordinator, or call her at 303-447-2848, ext. 1048.
