SORTA Officials Cut Ribbon On New, State-Of-The-Art Paratransit Assessment Center

Representatives of Southwest Ohio Regional Transit Authority (SORTA), of Cincinnati, OH, and community partner leadership recently cut the ribbon on a newly renovated, state-of-the-art assessment center supporting customers and staff of Access, the agency’s paratransit service.

“We have so many exciting things in store to reinvent what paratransit and transit access for all means in our community,” SORTA CEO and General Manager Darryl Haley said. “This new assessment center serves as a symbol of that progress forward for our customers living with disabilities.”

At the ceremony, Haley dedicated the center to all the people living with a disability in Greater Cincinnati.

Over the last year, the assessment center has undergone a complete renovation, including the in-house fabrication and installation of a half-sized bus equipped with a windshield-sized video screen, used to simulate fixed-route rides. The facility also simulates various terrains and other features, at or near bus stops, as part of rider assessments.

The assessment center renovation is just one of numerous steps SORTA is taking to boost access to paratransit throughout Hamilton County, and streamline coordination with other regional paratransit providers across county lines. Those plans will include a single-point reservation process, through which paratransit customers can book a trip supported by multiple agencies spanning the region.

Additionally, leaders from transit agencies throughout Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky — in partnership with the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber of Commerce — have established a regional paratransit coordination committee to continue studying and developing additional services.

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From left to right, SORTA COO John Ravasio; ATU Local 627 President Troy Miller; Access customer Robert Schuemak; SORTA CEO Darryl Haley; SORTA Chief Strategic Development, Planning and Innovation Officer Khaled Shammout; and SORTA Access/ADA Director Lisa Aulick cut the ribbon at Access’ newly renovated assessment center in Silverton, OH.