In 1998 Rogelio Gomez was fresh out of John Marshall High School and looking for a temporary job that would allow him to pursue his college education. He found that opportunity as an ADA paratransit driver with United Paratransit Inc.
A quick learner and self-motivated, he was promoted to customer service representative, dispatcher and later dispatch supervisor. It was during that time that Rogelio’s passion for paratransit grew. He fell in love with the industry and changed his educational major to business management.
In 2002 Rogelio joined Access Services, the agency responsible for the administration of the ADA-mandated paratransit transportation program for Los Angeles County.
At Access he has experienced success with promotions from customer service representative to road supervisor and currently serves as Project Administrator. He manages and oversees two of the largest paratransit contracts in Los Angeles County. When combined, these two contractors provide more than 5,000 safe trips to Access customers on an average day.
Rogelio is dedicated to improving the transportation experience for Access customers. He is also the project manager for special New Freedom Grant Projects, where he is responsible for conceptual development, implementation and monitoring of the programs to ensure established standards are met.
One of the pilot projects Rogelio helped to shape is the Access to Work Program, which is designed to improve access to transportation involving employment and employment-related activities for eligible low income individuals with disabilities. He is also involved with the pilot project Parents with Disabilities Program, which is designed with consideration of Access eligible customers (parents) traveling with children. The program addresses barriers faced by parents with disabilities, such as coordinating trips for themselves and their children to multiple destinations. Both pilot projects are well received by Access customers.
Rogelio married his high school sweetheart and they have three children - Rogelio Jr., Tiegan and Gia. One of his favorite roles is coaching his T-ball and soccer teams.
In addition, Rogelio found time to continue his education and earn his B.S. in business management from the University of Phoenix. He was the recipient of the APTA Foundation’s Dan Reichard, Jr. Scholarship Award for three consecutive years — 2009, 2010 and 2011.
“I like being part of the of public transit industry because it provides personal mobility and freedom for people from all walks of life through different modes of transportation.” I am part of an industry that literally makes the wheels of transit go round and round”
“For the future of public transit , I would you like to see more funding opportunities for Paratransit and to see a seamless intermodal transit experience for all customers.”
