Chesterfield County launched a new door-to-door transportation program Monday that will help seniors, low-income households and those with disabilities travel around the region at a low cost.
Called “Access on Demand,” the new service will cost a flat $6 for a one-way trip. Noel Romy is unable to drive the 35 mile trip from his home in Chesterfield to his job in Richmond. He calls the new pilot program a game-changer.
“It offers me a great sense of independence, a great sense of the ability to do a lot more -- just do a lot more.”
Romey says in the past he had to contact Access Chesterfield a day in advance for a ride. Now he can pick from four providers using a two-hour window and often he can get a ride within 15 minutes.
“Being able to call in two hours in advance and get a ride to appointments or to work is just a really big deal for me.”
The service offers transportation 24-hours a day, seven days a week for rides to work and medical appointments. Riders need to sign up online to get a Mobility Services Identification Card before they book any rides.
“So far it’s working really awesome.”
That’s Chairwomen Leslie Haley of the Board of Supervisors. She says “Access on Demand” is 100 percent County funded and that $50,000 was approved for the pilot program.
