NORFOLK – HRT has officially welcomed 20 new Chrysler Voyager vans fresh from the manufacturer to bolster its paratransit service. Each of the vehicles is ADA-accessible and has begun carrying passengers.
The Chrysler vans have been modified to comfortably fit up to one wheelchair and three ambulatory riders at a time. Customers with oversized wheelchairs should make note at the time of booking, as they will require a larger vehicle from the paratransit fleet.
“We are excited about the arrival of these new vehicles and the ease of mobility they will provide people with disabilities in our region,” said William E. Harrell, President, and CEO of HRT. “We look forward to using these vans to provide safe and reliable service to our paratransit customers going shopping, to medical appointments and other destinations.”
Six of the vans were paid for with money from the Hampton Roads Regional Transit Fund for fleet expansion. The remaining 14 were funded with FFY2020 formula 5339 funds through the Federal Transportation Administration (FTA) and serve as replacements for vehicles that are beyond their useful life benchmark as defined by the FTA. The current fleet consists of 97 vehicles, which includes a combination of StarCraft/Ford Cutaways, Ford Transits and now, these Chrysler Voyagers. There are also Mercedes Metris vans and Hyundai Elantra sedans dedicated for Paratransit service by Via Transportation, HRT’s contractor for daily operations.
HRT’s mission is to connect Hampton Roads with transportation solutions that are reliable, safe, efficient, and sustainable. For more information about HRT Paratransit or to learn how to request Paratransit services, please go to gohrt.com/paratransit.