In a significant move towards enhancing public transportation accessibility and efficiency, today, the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (SCVTA) introduced a fleet of 14 new Paratransit ProMaster 3500 vehicles set to start service on March 1, 2024 for Santa Clara County residents who rely on ACCESS Paratransit.

“This initiative underscores our commitment to inclusivity and accessibility in our community,” said Cindy Chavez, Chair of VTA Board and Santa Clara County Supervisor. “VTA also offers travel training to empower more people to navigate public transportation independently” she added.

The unveiling event, held at VTA Access Eastridge, offered attendees an exclusive first look at the vehicles’ cutting-edge features designed to enhance accessibility and comfort.

The ProMaster 3500 vehicles boast several innovations, including a softer and quieter ride compared to previous models, a seatbelt monitoring panel for added safety, and the latest Q'Straint ONE™ all-in-one wheelchair securement platform, which not only ensures better security for wheelchair and scooter clients but also reduces the physical labor for operators.

The new fleet is not only more efficient, with an average of 15.7 MPG – twice the efficiency of the older models – but also offers greater capacity and flexibility, accommodating up to 7 ambulatory passengers and 1 wheelchair user. 

These enhancements come as a direct result of valuable community and the Committee on Transportation Mobility and Accessibility feedback, leading to adjustments such as the inclusion of an emergency rear exit and a reconfigured floor plan to better meet the needs of passengers.

“What is going to make this program successful is the participation of the disabled community, you need to step up and voice your concerns and your compliments,” said Lupe Medrano, the 2nd. Vice-chair of the CTMA. “

In addition, the event served as the kickoff of two initiatives:

• The “Coffee with the Community Program”, an ACCESS Paratransit quarterly community engagement event designed to promote engagement and communication between our Paratransit Department and the community we serve. The events will take place at various locations throughout Santa Clara County, providing a casual and inviting atmosphere for interaction.

• The “Mystery Rider Program”, an initiative that aims to evaluate and improve the quality of service provided to ACCESS passengers. By employing anonymous mystery riders, we seek to identify strengths and weaknesses in the paratransit service, promoting continuous improvement and ensuring an inclusive and positive transportation experience for all riders.

The Open House also marked the launch of Phase II of the Mobility Assistance Program (MAP). The goal of MAP is to deliver transportation options that overcome barriers for the Equity Priority Communities to access essential services like jobs, healthcare, housing, education, and civic engagement.

“Transit agencies like VTA will continue to evaluate what we can do for you,” said Derik Calhoun, Chief Operating Officer, adding “The practices that we put in place to ensure that we provide the best service that we can provide, these things are under my supervision, and they are as important to me as they are to you.”

VTA already implemented MAP Phase I as a partnership with Community Based Organizations (CBO’s) to kick off our Low-Income Transportation as a pilot program.

VTA holds agreements with Silicon Valley Independent Living Center (SVILC), The Salvation Army Men’s Rehabilitation Center (ARC), and Catholic Charities. CBOs distribute, collect, and assist applicants with applying and related administrative tasks of distributing transportation resources.

For more information on VTA’s ACCESS Paratransit services and initiatives, click here.