Via Mobility (Via), a paratransit provider based on Boulder, Colo., is working to address the changing needs of its community amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The mobility concerns of older adults and people with disabilities are shifting from traveling to community resources like senior centers and hair salons, to acquiring vital resources like groceries during this time of social distancing and isolation. As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, Via says it is quickly adapting to meet the community’s changing needs, including but not limited to:
Via is collaborating with the Boulder County Farmers Market to make sure that at-risk and isolated residents have access to fresh food.
Via is delivering emergency bags of food to:
- Boulder residents in partnership with Boulder Housing Partners, Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFFA) and Community Food Share;
- TRU PACE (Program of all-inclusive care for the elderly) residents in Boulder and Longmont;
- Individuals referred by the Center for People with Disabilities (CPWD);
- Vulnerable residents of Lyons and Allenspark; and
- The Louisville Senior Center.
While the Cancer Society has to temporarily stop its volunteer driver program for providing cancer patients with trips to treatments, Via is providing some of those trips. It has also contacted local cancer treatment facilities and asked them to refer patients who need transportation to Via.
Via Paratransit is still running, providing accessible trips for older adults and people with disabilities to vital community resources like health care facilities. Via is also waiving fares until the end of April.
