The Denver Regional Transportation District (RTD) has seleced MTM Transit to operate a portion of the agency's Access-a-Ride Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) paratransit service. Under the contract, which goes live on July 1 and holds a term of three years, plus two one-year options, MTM Transit anticipates performing 25 percent of Access-a-Ride service. The contract adds to MTM Transit's existing relationship with RTD since September 2021.Access-a-Ride is a shared ride public transportation service for those who are unable to use RTD's fixed route bus and light-rail services due to a disability or limiting condition that impacts their ability to access the system. Services are available to eligible passengers in Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Jefferson, Adams, Arapahoe and Douglas counties within RTD's ADA coverage area.
MTM Transit and the U.S. Department of Transportation have worked together to provide ADA assessment services to determine passengers' eligibility for Access-a-Ride services. MTM Transit also provides travel training services to RTD passengers, teaching them how to use fixed route services safely and independently.
"For the past two years, MTM Transit has collaborated with RTD to meet its mission of connecting people with places through safe, friendly, and reliable public transportation services—and we are honored to have the opportunity to make an even bigger impact on the Denver metropolitan area," said MTM Transit's Chief Operating Officer Brian Balogh. "We look forward to adding transportation operations to our RTD service offerings and providing a world-class experience for RTD's Access-a-Ride passengers, which is what they have come to expect from MTM Transit after working with us for their ADA eligibility and travel training needs."
To engage more with the program, MTM Transit is establishing a business office and vehicle maintenance facility in Denver, Colo. Additionally, it is hiring more than 100 employees to operate the program.
