Q’Straint announced the availability of a new option for its award winning Q’POD — the first fully integrated wheelchair securement station.
The Velocity XPress is a mechanical remote release option that eliminates the need for electrical integration and makes Q’POD installation retrofits faster and less costly. The release system enables drivers to unlock rear restraints for 15 seconds enabling quicker wheelchair securement and better positioning. The remote release minimizes bending by driver/operators, reducing back injuries and improving securement.
Q’POD’s original Electric XPress Delay remains the default release mechanism with all new orders, but many transportation agencies expressed interest in having the option to choose. With the Velocity XPress remote release, operators can elect to reduce total acquisition costs on new buses they want to outfit with Q’PODs. Velocity XPress also dramatically lowers the cost of outfitting existing buses with Q’PODs in a retrofit installation. No electricity is required; it eliminates the need for interlock integration; and the entire project can be completed in much less time.
“Transit officials now have the option to go electric or manual with their Q’POD securement systems while maintaining an identical appearance and comparable operational procedures,” said Bob Joseph, Q’Straint vice president of business development. “This way drivers use the exact same steps learned with the electric version and mobility passengers have the same great experience regardless of whether the agency chooses Electric XPress or Velocity XPress timed release handles.”
The Velocity XPress Remote Release features include:
- A hydraulic cylinder velocity controller as a mechanical timer
- simplified and less costly installation and integration
- rapid installation process on new or retrofit buses
- no electrical connection required for operation.
“As soon as our operators had seen their first Q’POD installed on one of our new Gillig buses, they immediately inquired on how soon our existing buses could be retrofitted,” said Votran/Daytona Beach General Manager Steve Sherrer. “The Velocity XPress manual release would undoubtedly make an upgrade easier and less expensive.”