An Innovation and Service Development grant from the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged (CTD) was awarded to UZURV in partnership with the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA) to increase a transportation disadvantaged person's access to job training, employment, healthcare, education and other life-sustaining services across TBARTA's five-county region.
This award will provide cross-county and after-hours service for persons with disabilities and the elderly persons in Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco and Pinellas Counties. With this grant, UZURV will serve the five counties via the TD Tampa Bay program from Dec. 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. UZURV is an experienced partner serving the transportation disadvantaged in Florida, including programs such as the Advantage Ride program in the Tampa Bay area with the CTD.
“When you look at the positive outcomes for the Transportation Disadvantaged community that the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida reported to the Florida Legislature summarizing the outcomes of the original Advantage Ride pilot program last year, there’s no question that the leadership role TBARTA has taken with TD Tampa Bay program with the CTD will be of significant impact to the Tampa Bay region. UZURV is excited to continue to serve the region and community, and I sincerely believe this program, especially with its regional transportation footprint, is one of the most innovative and effective programs in mobility for the transportation disadvantaged in the country,” said John Donlon, UZURV CEO.
This is the second program UZURV has delivered in the Tampa Bay area for the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged. The company partnered with the commission to provide reliable and safe transportation for the Advantage Ride program in 2019. During this time, UZURV provided 20,000 trips to more than 500 persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
“TBARTA is working to improve regional transit options across Tampa Bay, and TD Tampa Bay demonstrates our commitment by providing new mobility to our most deserving riders, those who rely on public transportation because of age, income or disability,” said TBARTA Executive Director David Green.
