UZURV in the News
UZURV Expands Its Board With The Appointment Of Flora Castillo And Thomas O’Neil
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RICHMOND, Va., April 4, 2025 — UZURV, the Adaptive Transportation Network Company and Assisted Mobility Platform, announced today the expansion of its board of directors with the appointment of Flora Castillo and Thomas (Tom) O’Neil, III.
The expanded board, with its diverse expertise and extensive experience, provides the company with invaluable counsel and oversight. The board will aid in managing complex regulatory and risk management scenarios, fostering sustainable corporate growth, and bring additional high-level strategic counsel to the company’s continued expansion across the country.
“I am excited that Flora and Tom have joined our board,” said Gary LeClair, Chair of the UZURV Board of Directors. “The depth and breadth of their governance experience is an enormous asset as we guide the growth of this dynamic, mission-oriented company.”
Flora Castillo: Ms. Castillo is the founder and President of Pivot Strategies, LLC, a consulting firm serving the transportation, and insurance industries. Previously she was Vice President of Transportation at UnitedHealth Group as well as the elected chair of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA). Castillo has served on numerous boards including Cambridge Systematics, Inc., WHYY, Greater Philadelphia Health Action (GPHA) and formerly on the boards of mPact (Formerly Rail-Volution), and New Jersey Transit. She holds a B.S. in Management Business Administration from Long Island University and is a Certified Health Insurance Executive (C.H.I.E.).
Tom O’Neil: Mr. O’Neil has been a Managing Director at the Berkeley Research Group (BRG), leading the healthcare governance and compliance practice. Previously, he was the Global Chief Compliance Officer of Cigna Corporation, a leading global health services provider. Mr. O’Neil is a seasoned corporate director serving on a variety of boards with a specialty in growth-stage companies operating in highly regulated industries. He received his Artium Baccalaureus (A.B.), magna cum laude, from Dartmouth College and his J.D. from Georgetown University.
“We are honored to have Flora Castillo and Tom O’Neil join our board of directors,” said Ned Freeman, CEO of UZURV. “Their wealth of strategic insight, governance experience, and proven leadership – coupled with their genuine and deep connection to UZURV’s mission – are invaluable additions to the team. We look forward to leveraging their talents to the fullest as we continue our growth.”
About UZURV
Mobility independence is for everyone. UZURV helps communities lower the cost of transportation for people with mobility challenges – while delivering much more reliable, timely service that appropriately meets the needs of each rider. The UZURV Assisted Mobility Platform simplifies the operation and management of onboarding, managing compliance, dispatching, and monitoring assisted community mobility services. The platform provides powerful program management and reporting tools for mobility management, transportation systems, and service providers, including UZURV’s own Adaptive Transportation Network (Adaptive TNC) service model. UZURV’s Adaptive TNC onboards fully FTA-compliant drivers for ADA Paratransit and rider choice programs. UZURV holds contracts for assisted community mobility services with more than 35 organizations across the United States, including five of the top ten largest ADA paratransit programs by rider volume. UZURV was founded in 2017 and is based in Richmond, Va. For more information about UZURV, visit https://uzurv.com/.
UZURV Partners with VisionServe Alliance to Advance Support for the Blind and Low-Vision Community
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RICHMOND, VA., January 28, 2025 — UZURV, the Adaptive Transportation Network Company and Assisted Mobility Platform, announces its commitment as a Platinum Sponsor of the VisionServe Alliance (VSA) for 2025. This partnership will help expand VSA’s mission of supporting organizations that work to overcome challenges faced by individuals who are blind or have low vision.
VisionServe Alliance is a collaborative network of advocacy groups, service providers, businesses, healthcare organizations, educators, and sports organizations, all dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with vision loss. The sponsorship will empower VSA to extend its reach, fostering greater impact across the nation for its alliance members.
“We are honored to have UZURV’s support for our mission,” said Lee Nasehi, President and CEO of VisionServe Alliance. “Their sponsorship will be used to strengthen the work of the alliance, through events, knowledge sharing, and consulting, all focused on improving the lives of individuals with blindness and vision loss.”
“Nurturing strong networks that erase barriers and promote opportunities for people with disabilities and older adults to maintain independence and personal autonomy is at the heart of both VisionServe Alliance and UZURV,” said Ned Freeman, CEO of UZURV. “We are proud to support VSA’s advocacy and innovative work, and we look forward to working together to improve transportation options for the blind and low-vision communities.”
As part of the sponsorship, UZURV and VSA will jointly focus on advancing accessible transportation solutions, helping to ensure that individuals with vision loss can more easily navigate their communities and access essential services.
About VisionServe Alliance
VisionServe leads an alliance of more than 130 member organizations that vastly improve the lives of people with blindness and low vision. VisionServe Alliance collaborates with leaders to enhance the health of the BVI field by maximizing engagement with life-changing vision rehabilitation training and services, addressing strategic issues, impacting the field, cultivating leadership, enhancing management systems, sharing best practices, increased capacity-building and sustainability, informing public policy, developing groundbreaking data reports highlighting profound issues impacting people with blindness and vision loss, and more. VisionServe Alliance also leads the Aging and Vision Loss National Coalition (AVLNC), a consortium of leaders advocating for the needs of adults 65+ with blindness and low vision.
About UZURV
Mobility independence is for everyone. UZURV helps communities lower the cost of transportation for people with mobility challenges – while delivering much more reliable, timely service that appropriately meets the needs of each rider. The UZURV Assisted Mobility Platform simplifies the operation and management of onboarding, managing compliance, dispatching, and monitoring assisted community mobility services. The platform provides powerful program management and reporting tools for mobility management, transportation systems, and service providers, including UZURV’s own Adaptive Transportation Network (Adaptive TNC) service model. UZURV’s Adaptive TNC onboards fully FTA-compliant drivers for ADA Paratransit and rider choice programs. UZURV holds contracts for assisted community mobility services with more than 35 organizations across the United States, including five of the top ten largest ADA paratransit programs by rider volume. UZURV was founded in 2017 and is based in Richmond, Va. For more information about UZURV, visit https://uzurv.com/.
UZURV Board Names Ned Freeman as Chief Executive Officer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
John Donlon, UZURV’s Founding CEO, Continues Involvement
RICHMOND, VA., November 11, 2024 — UZURV has finalized its leadership transition, naming Ned Freeman to the position of Chief Executive Officer.
He succeeds John Donlon, the founding CEO, who will continue his role as a member of UZURV’s Board of Directors and serve as UZURV’s President.
“The Board conducted an extensive national search for our next CEO, seeking the right person to continue to build on UZURV’s significant positive momentum and growth trajectory,” said Gary LeClair, Chair of the Board. “It became clear through this process that Ned’s extensive experience, mission focus, deep understanding of this business, and support from the team made him the best choice for UZURV’s next phase of growth. Ned has been instrumental in helping build the collaborative, mission-driven culture of this team, and the Board is confident that UZURV’s exceptional growth trajectory will continue to accelerate with his strategic leadership.”
“As we make this change, the Board, on behalf of UZURV’s full team and investors, would also like to thank John Donlon for his vision and leadership in founding UZURV and for the continuing relationship-building and advocacy efforts planned in his new role as President,” added LeClair.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to work with this exceptional team as our CEO,” said Freeman, “Mobility independence is for everyone. But every single day one in four people find it difficult to get where they want to go. And it just doesn’t have to be that way. UZURV’s innovative technology platform and service save communities millions of dollars while radically improving quality and reducing the cost of mobility for people with disabilities, older adults, and others who need assistance to move about their community. This entire team is committed to making mobility independence as easy as it should be for everyone across this country. It’s hard. It’s fun, and even with the exceptional growth we’ve experienced over the past few years, we’ve just barely scratched the surface of what’s possible.”
Ned Freeman joined UZURV in 2019 as EVP of Marketing as the company began its national expansion. In 2021 he became the company’s Chief Operating Officer, and UZURV has since grown to provide assisted community mobility in more than 20 regions across the country. Freeman brings 30 years of organization-building executive experience in marketing, product development, and operational leadership to the CEO role – with a team-first, results-focused leadership style.
About UZURV
Mobility independence is for everyone. UZURV helps communities lower the cost of transportation for people with mobility challenges – while delivering much more reliable, timely service that appropriately meets the needs of each rider. The UZURV Assisted Mobility Platform simplifies the operation and management of onboarding, managing compliance, dispatching, and monitoring assisted community mobility services. The platform provides powerful program management and reporting tools for mobility management, transportation systems, and service providers, including UZURV’s own Adaptive Transportation Network (Adaptive TNC) service model. UZURV’s Adaptive TNC onboards fully FTA-compliant drivers for ADA Paratransit and rider choice programs. UZURV holds contracts for assisted community mobility services with more than 35 organizations across the United States, including five of the top ten largest ADA paratransit programs by rider volume. UZURV was founded in 2017 and is based in Richmond, Va. For more information about UZURV, visit https://uzurv.com/.
Growth Spurs UZURV Executive Team Expansion
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ned Freeman Promoted to President – Insurance Tech Veteran Allie Feakins Joins as Chief Operating Officer
RICHMOND, VA., September 4, 2024 — UZURV, the Assisted Mobility Technology Platform, has promoted Ned Freeman to the position of President and welcomes Allie Feakins to fill the Chief Operating Officer role.
The adoption of innovative mobility programs by transit agencies across the United States to improve access to independent mobility for paratransit riders has led to increased demand for UZURV’s services. To further support this important industry transformation, UZURV announces an expansion of its executive team.
Allie Feakins joins the team as the new Chief Operating Officer and brings additional process management, growth, and operations executive management experience to UZURV. Feakins was formerly the Chief Executive Officer of Compare.com, an auto insurance price comparison technology platform. As CEO she led the company through an acquisition by Insurify. In this role, she will report to Ned Freeman.
For the past five years, Ned Freeman has been a member of UZURV’s executive team, first as Chief Marketing Officer and more recently as the company’s Chief Operating Officer during a period of significant expansion for UZURV. Freeman has nearly 30 years of organization-building executive experience in marketing, new product development, technology development, and operational leadership – with a strategic, results-driven, organizational leadership style.
“We still have a long way to go to achieve equitable, on-demand mobility for everyone. There is a growing movement to push technology and transportation design in new ways for extraordinary rider experiences while reducing costs to the community,” said John Donlon, Chief Executive Officer at UZURV. “Our expanded executive team is focused on supporting our world-class staff and program partners as we continue to work to meet and exceed the promise of the Americans with Disabilities Act.”
About UZURV
Mobility independence is for everyone. UZURV helps communities lower the cost of transportation for people with mobility challenges – while delivering much more reliable, timely service that appropriately meets the needs of each rider. The UZURV Assisted Mobility Platform simplifies the operation and management of onboarding, managing compliance, dispatching, and monitoring assisted community mobility services. The platform provides powerful program management and reporting tools for mobility management, transportation systems, and service providers, including UZURV’s own Adaptive Transportation Network (Adaptive TNC) service model. UZURV’s Adaptive TNC onboards fully FTA-compliant drivers for ADA Paratransit and rider choice programs. UZURV holds contracts for assisted community mobility services with more than 35 organizations across the United States, including five of the top ten largest ADA paratransit programs by rider volume. UZURV was founded in 2017 and is based in Richmond, Va. For more information about UZURV, visit https://uzurv.com/.
UZURV Announces New Chief Financial Officer
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Kyle Engelken Brings Growth-Stage Start-up Experience as Former CFO of Financial Technology Firm, WealthForge
RICHMOND, VA., January 11, 2023 — UZURV, the Assisted Mobility Technology Platform, and Adaptive Transportation Network Company, is pleased to announce the hiring of Kyle Engelken as its Chief Financial Officer. Engelken joins the executive team during a time of continued, substantial growth at UZURV.
“Kyle is a great addition to our executive team as we guide the company through an exciting period of expansion,” said John Donlon, Chief Executive Officer at UZURV. “We were looking for a leader with success in managing growth at companies similar to our size and trajectory, and Kyle has excellent financial experience with scaling start-ups that we’ll rely upon.”
Engelken is a driven financial professional with extensive experience in start-up and small-business operations. After completing his BS/BA with Accounting and Finance Concentrations at The University of Richmond, he began his career in institutional portfolio management helping to manage investment capital at some of the world’s largest endowments and foundations. After receiving his MBA from The College of William and Mary, Engelken shifted his career to corporate finance where he served as CFO of Richmond-based financial technology firm, WealthForge for nine years until his move to UZURV in December 2022.
“I am incredibly impressed with the dedication of the UZURV team, its technology, and the processes they have created to improve transportation freedom for people with disabilities and older adults,” said Engelken. “There is nothing but opportunity for strategic growth at UZURV. I’m looking forward to enhancing our financial systems, our processes, and strengthening our agency and investor partnerships – all in service of more equitable transportation options.”
Engelken lives in Richmond, VA, and when he’s not trying to keep up with his three boys, you can usually catch him doing something outside like playing golf, hiking, or gardening.
About UZURV
Mobility independence is for everyone. UZURV helps communities lower the cost of transportation for people with mobility challenges – while delivering much more reliable, timely service that appropriately meets the needs of each rider. The UZURV Assisted Mobility Platform simplifies the operation and management of onboarding, managing compliance, dispatching, and monitoring assisted community mobility services. The platform provides powerful program management and reporting tools for mobility management, transportation systems, and service providers, including UZURV’s own Adaptive Transportation Network (Adaptive TNC) service model. UZURV’s Adaptive TNC onboards fully FTA-compliant drivers for ADA Paratransit and rider choice programs. UZURV holds contracts for assisted community mobility services with more than 35 organizations across the United States, including five of the top ten largest ADA paratransit programs by rider volume. UZURV was founded in 2017 and is based in Richmond, Va. For more information about UZURV, visit https://uzurv.com/.
UZURV + Spare: Full Integration Provides Innovative Paratransit Programs a Wealth of Real-Time Data and Reporting Tools
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Integration Provides Transit Agencies Real-Time Dispatch, Tracking, and Ride Reporting of UZURVs Fully FTA-Compliant Drivers
Agencies can leverage the flexibility of UZURV’s Adaptive TNC model and pair that with the Open Fleets tool in Spare for transparent reporting across both dedicated and non-dedicated trip providers.
RICHMOND, Va., September 15, 2022 — UZURV, the Adaptive Transportation Network Company (Adaptive TNC), has partnered with on-demand transit software provider Spare to create a fully integrated solution supporting UZURV’s FTA-compliant paratransit trips. The solution links Spare’s Open Fleets module with UZURV’s mobility platform to book trips and provide comprehensive reporting that includes real-time data associated with trip execution and reporting information. The integration is in active service for fully FTA-compliant, ADA supplemental service rides in the US, and provides robust real-time data available to agency partners.
With UZURV, transit agencies across the country leverage a network of non-dedicated owner-operator drivers for ADA Supplemental and Rider Choice programs. Agencies can leverage the flexibility of UZURV’s Adaptive TNC model and pair that with the Open Fleets tool in Spare for transparent reporting across both dedicated and non-dedicated trip providers.
Platform Integration Features:
Integrated Dispatch
Assigned trips are auto-dispatched to the UZURV technology platform by Spare. For accepted trips, UZURV driver and vehicle info is visible in Spare — including: The drivers’ name, the vehicle color, make, model, year, plate state, and tag number.
Real-time Ride Status
Real-time vehicle tracking is available in Spare with GPS & timestamp on each status change, including: driver en route, pick-up arrived, in progress, drop-off arrived, and completed trip.
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Transparent Reporting
All UZURV ride execution data is seamlessly available via Spare reporting.
“Our mission at UZURV is to expand transportation opportunities for people with disabilities and older adults through our Mobility Platform and innovative, fully FTA-compliant, TNC model,” said John Donlon, Chief Executive Officer of UZURV. “Leveraging our respective technologies, UZURV and Spare are able to provide exceptional tools to our agency partners for easy service integration, transparent performance reporting, and improved efficiencies.”
“We are committed to helping transit agencies provide reliable and cost-effective paratransit rides through innovative partnerships,” said Kristoffer Vik Hansen, CEO, Spare. “Our integration with UZURV provides transit agencies a gateway to a deep network of fleets to efficiently improve paratransit rider experience.”
About Spare:
Spare is a leading provider of On-Demand Transit Software with a mission to make every ride possible. Its technology platform empowers transit and mobility innovators, both in the public and private sectors, to streamline their network’s day-to-day on-demand mobility operations. Spare’s philosophy, which rests on its open API, is that anyone can and should be able to launch an efficient, well-run transportation network with ease. Read more at https://sparelabs.com/.
About UZURV
Mobility independence is for everyone. UZURV helps communities lower the cost of transportation for people with mobility challenges – while delivering much more reliable, timely service that appropriately meets the needs of each rider. The UZURV Assisted Mobility Platform simplifies the operation and management of onboarding, managing compliance, dispatching, and monitoring assisted community mobility services. The platform provides powerful program management and reporting tools for mobility management, transportation systems, and service providers, including UZURV’s own Adaptive Transportation Network (Adaptive TNC) service model. UZURV’s Adaptive TNC onboards fully FTA-compliant drivers for ADA Paratransit and rider choice programs. UZURV holds contracts for assisted community mobility services with more than 35 organizations across the United States, including five of the top ten largest ADA paratransit programs by rider volume. UZURV was founded in 2017 and is based in Richmond, Va. For more information about UZURV, visit https://uzurv.com/.
UZURV Develops Assisted Mobility Service Integration Through Trapeze TripBroker for ADA Paratransit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Integration Provides Transit Agencies Real-Time Dispatch, Tracking, and Ride Reporting of UZURVs Fully ADA Compliant Drivers
RICHMOND, VA., May 24, 2022 – UZURV, the Adaptive Transportation Network Company (Adaptive TNC) has collaborated with Trapeze Group on a full integration with Trapeze PASS, its paratransit software suite, for booking trips on UZURV. The integrated solution is in active service for fully FTA compliant ADA paratransit rides and provides robust real-time data available right in the Trapeze product suite.
With UZURV, transit agencies across the country leverage a network of fully FTA compliant, non-dedicated owner-operator drivers for ADA supplemental and Rider Choice programs. Pairing UZURV’s technology platform with Trapeze’s TripBroker provides those agencies the flexibility of a TNC and a high level of transparent data, including real-time ride status updates, real-time vehicle tracking, and full trip reporting.
Platform Integration Features:
Integrated Dispatch
Assigned trips are auto-dispatched to the UZURV technology platform by Trapeze’s TripBroker.
For accepted trips, driver and vehicle info are visible in the Trapeze PASS system, including:
The drivers’ name, the vehicle color, make, model, year, plate state, and tag number.
Real-time Ride Status
Real-time vehicle tracking available in Trapeze with GPS & timestamp on each status change, including: driver en route, pick-up arrived, in progress, drop-off arrived, and completed trip.
Transparent Reporting
All UZURV ride execution data is seamlessly available via Trapeze reporting.
“Our mission at UZURV is to provide the highest level of service to people with disabilities and older adults, and we built our technology platform and Adaptive TNC service from the ground up to specifically service ADA paratransit and similar programs,” said John Donlon, Chief Executive Officer of UZURV. “Transit agencies with Trapeze’s TripBroker and UZURV get lower per-trip costs, high on-time percentages (OTPs), and extremely high customer satisfaction that is all integrated right into their transit management system – it is an incredibly powerful collaboration.”
“We stand by our transit agency customers and their riders. This collaboration is especially important now when many agencies are facing driver shortages and operational efficiency issues,” said Teresa Domingo, General Manager of Trapeze Group. “The integration with Trapeze PASS and UZURV provides an innovative option to address these problems and accommodate a greater number of high quality on-demand rides.”
About Trapeze
Trapeze Group works with public transit agencies and their communities to develop and deliver smarter, more effective public transit solutions. For more than 25 years we have been “here for the journey,” evolving with our public transport customers around the world helping them to move people from point A to Z and everywhere in between. Learn more: www.trapezegroup.com.
About UZURV
Mobility independence is for everyone. UZURV helps communities lower the cost of transportation for people with mobility challenges – while delivering much more reliable, timely service that appropriately meets the needs of each rider. The UZURV Assisted Mobility Platform simplifies the operation and management of onboarding, managing compliance, dispatching, and monitoring assisted community mobility services. The platform provides powerful program management and reporting tools for mobility management, transportation systems, and service providers, including UZURV’s own Adaptive Transportation Network (Adaptive TNC) service model. UZURV’s Adaptive TNC onboards fully FTA-compliant drivers for ADA Paratransit and rider choice programs. UZURV holds contracts for assisted community mobility services with more than 35 organizations across the United States, including five of the top ten largest ADA paratransit programs by rider volume. UZURV was founded in 2017 and is based in Richmond, Va. For more information about UZURV, visit https://uzurv.com/.
UZURV partners with First Transit in Ten Year Contract to Provide Paratransit Services to Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA)
RICHMOND, VA. — UZURV and First Transit have partnered to win a 10-year contract with Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) to provide paratransit service to Pinellas County, Florida.
In this relationship, UZURV will act as a sub-contractor for First Transit and leverage its unique Adaptive TNC model, featuring credentialed and FTA compliant drug and alcohol tested drivers, to serve the majority of ambulatory trips operated by First Transit under the contract.
“We look forward to using UZURV’s innovative mobility platform and service model to help First Transit reduce capital and fleet costs for PSTA, while improving productivity, on-time performance, and providing an exceptional rider experience to the community,” says John Donlon, CEO of UZURV. He added, “The program further expands the relationship that UZURV and First Transit have built in partnership with other transit agencies, allowing us to continue to deliver compelling and innovative solutions for the paratransit market.”
UZURV is not new to Pinellas County. For three years, UZURV has been active in Pinellas and surrounding counties providing the very popular Advantage Ride and TD Tampa Bay programs serving transportation disadvantaged riders and persons with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) across the region. UZURV will continue to leverage their extensive local experience for PSTA and deliver high quality mobility service to local riders.
About First Transit
First Transit, Inc. has more than 60 years of experience and is the largest private-sector provider of mobility solutions in North America, moving more than 300 million passengers annually. First Transit, Inc. provides operation, management, and consulting for more than 300 locations in 39 states, Canada and Puerto Rico for transit authorities, state departments of transportation, municipalities, universities, and private companies. First Transit employs more than 19,000 dedicated transit professionals. For additional information, please visit FirstTransit.com. To see how First Transit is leading the way in shared autonomous vehicle (SAV) initiatives, please visit FirstAV.com 
.
About PSTA
The Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority is the public transit provider for Pinellas County, providing more than 12.1 million rides per year. PSTA operates 40 bus and trolley routes with a fleet of 210 vehicles. More information is available at www.psta.net .
About UZURV
Mobility independence is for everyone. UZURV helps communities lower the cost of transportation for people with mobility challenges – while delivering much more reliable, timely service that appropriately meets the needs of each rider. The UZURV Assisted Mobility Platform simplifies the operation and management of onboarding, managing compliance, dispatching, and monitoring assisted community mobility services. The platform provides powerful program management and reporting tools for mobility management, transportation systems, and service providers, including UZURV’s own Adaptive Transportation Network (Adaptive TNC) service model. UZURV’s Adaptive TNC onboards fully FTA-compliant drivers for ADA Paratransit and rider choice programs. UZURV holds contracts for assisted community mobility services with more than 35 organizations across the United States, including five of the top ten largest ADA paratransit programs by rider volume. UZURV was founded in 2017 and is based in Richmond, Va. For more information about UZURV, visit https://uzurv.com/.
UZURV and Accessible Avenue Announce Partnership for Expanding On-Demand Transportation for People with Disabilities
Today Richmond-based Adaptive Transportation Network Company, UZURV, announced a partnership with Phoenix-based Accessible Avenue, a start-up focused on transforming mobility for everyone, including people with disabilities.
Accessible Avenue was founded by Ron Brooks, a 28-year veteran of the public transit industry who has spent his entire career planning and managing accessible transit and paratransit services in locations across the country. Including a recent six-year stint at the Valley Metro Regional Public Transit Authority in Phoenix, which partnered with UZURV to provide accessible, on-demand trips to the community in 2019.
“Over the course of the last five years,” says UZURV’s CEO John Donlon, “UZURV has developed an amazing team and technology platform that is revolutionizing transportation for people with disabilities. We have experienced tremendous growth as more and more transit agencies have begun to recognize that it is possible to provide on-demand transportation that delivers independence and freedom while also saving money over more traditional paratransit services. Our partnership with Accessible Avenue will help us further refine our services to meet the needs of communities who need it most.”
Ron Brooks
Founder, Accessible Avenue
“For me,” says Ron, who, in addition to being an experienced industry insider is also blind, “UZURV represents the next step in the evolution of transportation for people with disabilities who cannot always use conventional public transit service. In the past and in many locations to this day, customers who depend on paratransit have to schedule every aspect of their lives at least a day in advance. Which is extremely challenging for anyone with a family or a job or the desire to live a spontaneous life. By building a network of specialty-credentialed drivers that have been vetted, trained and certified to provide safe, high-quality and accessible transportation on-demand, UZURV is changing the game, and the chance to contribute to their efforts is a dream come true. Because it’s not only benefitting my industry, it’s benefitting me and other people with disabilities who want to travel with dignity and flexibility.”
With technology playing an increasing role in expanding public transit and non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) mobility, this partnership will build and establish strategic practices and services to ensure seniors and people with disabilities have access to on-demand transportation when they need it. Together, UZURV and Accessible Avenue will assist transit agencies and NEMT providers in effectively providing an excellent rider experience catered to the unique needs of paratransit and transportation disadvantaged riders.
About UZURV
Mobility independence is for everyone. UZURV helps communities lower the cost of transportation for people with mobility challenges – while delivering much more reliable, timely service that appropriately meets the needs of each rider. The UZURV Assisted Mobility Platform simplifies the operation and management of onboarding, managing compliance, dispatching, and monitoring assisted community mobility services. The platform provides powerful program management and reporting tools for mobility management, transportation systems, and service providers, including UZURV’s own Adaptive Transportation Network (Adaptive TNC) service model. UZURV’s Adaptive TNC onboards fully FTA-compliant drivers for ADA Paratransit and rider choice programs. UZURV holds contracts for assisted community mobility services with more than 35 organizations across the United States, including five of the top ten largest ADA paratransit programs by rider volume. UZURV was founded in 2017 and is based in Richmond, Va. For more information about UZURV, visit https://uzurv.com/.
CARTA Partners with UZURV to Expand Access of Medical Transportation in Charleston
RICHMOND, VA., January 29, 2021 — Charleston, South Carolina has chosen to partner with UZURV to provide a new transit solutions pilot for eligible riders. The pilot begins February 1st, 2021. The program provides riders served by ADA paratransit services and clients over the age of 55 expanded access to transportation with greater flexibility to and from medical appointments as well as to the grocery store and pharmacy.
The new program, called CARTA OnDemand will greatly enhance accessibility, schedule flexibility, and customer experience for ADA and non-ADA transportation, providing eligible riders direct, private rides to appointments in the Medical District from across the Charleston peninsula.
UZURV’s mobility platform will provide CARTA riders with credentialed drivers trained with the ability to assist riders who need a little bit of extra help. UZURV provides life-changing non-emergency medical transportation with the option of wheelchair accessible vehicles to serve all members of the rider community.
“The pilot program that CARTA has undertaken with UZURV is focused on one thing: putting our riders first,” said CARTA Board of Directors Chairman Mike Seekings. “The enhanced level of service offered through this partnership will make traveling easier for the most vulnerable transit users. Direct, on-demand access to necessities such as doctor appointments, the pharmacy and grocery store is an unprecedented step forward for public transit in our region, and it is something we hope to replicate in the future.”
The valuable new pilot service will provide rides across the Charleston Peninsula with hopes of service expansion throughout the Charleston area.
“UZURV is grateful for the opportunity to help provide increased access to medical centers to the CARTA community, so that eligible riders gain access to the medical care they need to live happier and healthier lives,” said John Donlon, UZURV CEO.
UZURV brings three years of Adaptive TNC expertise and is a trusted innovation partner to transit agencies across the country, providing more than 400,000 rides to clients with disabilities while helping lower the overall systemic cost of paratransit and non-emergency medical transportation (NEMT) service delivery.
UZURV’s unique technology and mobility platform prioritizes safety and makes sure proper assistance is available to the rider, while allowing transit agencies to increase overall paratransit system efficiency. The flexibility and security of UZURV’s Adaptive TNC stems from technology-assisted credentialing and testing, and real-time ride oversight by a proven operations team that keeps trips on time and drivers and riders safe and supported.
About UZURV
Mobility independence is for everyone. UZURV helps communities lower the cost of transportation for people with mobility challenges – while delivering much more reliable, timely service that appropriately meets the needs of each rider. The UZURV Assisted Mobility Platform simplifies the operation and management of onboarding, managing compliance, dispatching, and monitoring assisted community mobility services. The platform provides powerful program management and reporting tools for mobility management, transportation systems, and service providers, including UZURV’s own Adaptive Transportation Network (Adaptive TNC) service model. UZURV’s Adaptive TNC onboards fully FTA-compliant drivers for ADA Paratransit and rider choice programs. UZURV holds contracts for assisted community mobility services with more than 35 organizations across the United States, including five of the top ten largest ADA paratransit programs by rider volume. UZURV was founded in 2017 and is based in Richmond, Va. For more information about UZURV, visit https://uzurv.com/.