UZURV in the News
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 drivers, with drug and alcohol screening that meets FTA standards, for ADA Paratransit and rider choice programs. UZURV holds contracts for assisted community mobility services with more than 40 organizations across the United States, including six 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 drivers, with drug and alcohol screening that meets FTA standards, for ADA Paratransit and rider choice programs. UZURV holds contracts for assisted community mobility services with more than 40 organizations across the United States, including six 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 TBARTA to expand mobility for the transportation disadvantaged
RICHMOND, VA., November 4th, 2020 – UZURV, in partnership with the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority (TBARTA), received a significant investment in the form of an Innovation and Service Development grant from the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged (CTD) to increase a transportation disadvantaged person’s access to job training, employment, healthcare, education, and other life-sustaining services across TBARTA’s five county region.
This award will provide cross-county and after-hours service for persons with disabilities and the elderly persons in Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee, Pasco and Pinellas Counties. With this grant, UZURV will serve the five counties via the TD Tampa Bay program from December 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021. UZURV is an experienced partner serving the transportation disadvantaged in Florida, including programs such as the well-regarded Advantage Ride program in the Tampa Bay area with the CTD, and has delivered a 98%+ on time performance rating plus consistently high customer satisfaction across programs in Florida.
“When you look at the positive outcomes for the Transportation Disadvantaged community that the Center for Urban Transportation Research (CUTR) at the University of South Florida reported to the Florida Legislature summarizing the outcomes of the original Advantage Ride pilot program last year, there’s no question that the leadership role TBARTA has taken with TD Tampa Bay program with the CTD will be of significant impact to the Tampa Bay region. UZURV is excited to continue to serve the region and community, and I sincerely believe this program, especially with its regional transportation footprint, is one of the most innovative and effective programs in mobility for the transportation disadvantaged in the country.” said John Donlon, UZURV CEO.
As mentioned, this is the second program UZURV has delivered in the Tampa Bay area for the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged. The Richmond-based company partnered with the Commission to provide reliable and safe transportation for the Advantage Ride program in 2019-2020. During this time, UZURV provided 20,000 trips to more than 500 persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities.
“TBARTA is working to improve regional transit options across Tampa Bay, and TD Tampa Bay demonstrates our commitment by providing new mobility to our most deserving riders, those who rely on public transportation because of age, income, or disability.” said TBARTA’s Executive Director David Green.
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 the transportation disadvantaged 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 drivers, with drug and alcohol screening that meets FTA standards, for ADA Paratransit and rider choice programs. UZURV holds contracts for assisted community mobility services with more than 40 organizations across the United States, including six 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/.
St. Lucie County and UZURV partner to Increase Cross-county Mobility across Treasure Coast
RICHMOND, VA., November 2nd 2020 – St. Lucie County, Florida has awarded UZURV, an Adaptive Transportation Network Company, a contract to provide transportation services to increase a person with intellectual or developmental disabilities access to job training, employment, health care, and other life-sustaining services in St. Lucie, Indian River, Martin, and Okeechobee counties.
The Advantage Ride – Treasure Coast program, funded through the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged , will officially start on November 2nd, 2020 and will offer ambulatory and wheelchair accessible transportation until June 30th, 2021.
With this award, St. Lucie County and UZURV will partner to enhance regional connectivity for a person with an intellectual or developmental disability by providing cross-county transportation between the counties in the Treasure Coast. UZURV has a proven track record of service in the state of Florida and a 98%+ on time performance rating.
“St. Lucie County is honored to be the grant recipient and have an opportunity to expand the transportation service options for individuals with disabilities. We would like to thank the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged and Florida Legislature’s Transportation Task Force, which addresses transportation priorities for those with disabilities. Advantage Ride is definitely a move in the right direction for transportation options in our community.” said St. Lucie County Commission Chair Cathy Townsend.
This program’s unique focus on providing transportation to persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities allows eligible Floridians more opportunity to lead independent lives through the freedom to schedule, arrange, and take safe, reliable rides via the UZURV platform. The UZURV platform is a life-changing mobility option and provides affordable and accessible transportation that is safe and flexible to persons’ needs.
“We are thankful for this opportunity to work with St. Lucie County in expanding our services for persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities from the Tampa Bay area to the Treasure Coast. The Advantage Ride program in the Tampa Bay area provides persons with intellectual or developmental disabilities and their caregivers more freedom in their day-to-day lives. We look forward to providing this valuable service in the Treasure Coast.” says 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 St. Lucie County
St. Lucie County is located on Florida’s east coast between Orlando and Miami. The county’s public transportation program, the Treasure Coast Connector serves an extensive area in eastern St. Lucie County, with connections in northeastern Martin County and southeastern Indian River County. The fixed route network extends for nearly 25 miles north to south and nearly 9 miles west to east at its widest points, covering the densest urban development in the County while the western parts of the County have much lower population density. With a population of roughly 320,000 residents, St. Lucie is comprised of Fort Pierce and Port St. Lucie, which is the seventh largest city in the Sunshine State.
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 drivers, with drug and alcohol screening that meets FTA standards, for ADA Paratransit and rider choice programs. UZURV holds contracts for assisted community mobility services with more than 40 organizations across the United States, including six 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/.
Greensboro Transit Agency (GTA) Awards Three-Year Contract to UZURV
RICHMOND, VA., October 9th, 2020 — the Greensboro Transit Agency (GTA) has awarded UZURV, the Adaptive Transportation Network Company, a three-year contract to supply the city of Greensboro, North Carolina with specialized ADA transportation services. Ratified by the Greensboro Transit Agency Board, the new contract became effective October 1st, 2020 under the I-Ride title as a Rider Choice Program serving the citizens of Greensboro.
The contract was awarded through a competitive RFP process in which UZURV’S response demonstrated overall value, a proven track record of service, and a 99% on time performance rating for the community.. With this award, the program builds on GTA and UZURV’s two-year successful pilot program with iRide, which received significant public support for efficient performance and positive community impact.
“The Greensboro Transit Agency is excited to continue our partnership with UZURV. This popular supplemental transportation program has provided services to thousands in our community living with disabilities by providing them with freedom, flexibility, and peace of mind while meeting their everyday transportation needs.” said JoHanna Cockburn, Greensboro Department of Transportation Director.
With this three-year award, people with disabilities and elderly citizens of Greensboro will have the opportunity to continue using UZURV and benefit from a highly reliable transportation option for personal independence and mobility provided by GTA leveraging UZURV’s Adaptive TNC capability.
“We are pleased to announce this award and grateful for the opportunity to continue working with Greensboro to provide people with affordable and accountable ADA transportation. The continued vote of confidence with this contract, the ongoing community encouragement, and GTA’s commitment to this program clearly shows their support to their ridership, particularly among elderly and people with disabilities.” said UZURV CEO John Donlon after the installation of the three-year contract.
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 special needs clients while helping lower the overall systemic cost of paratransit 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 work is related to its unique credentialing and testing technology platform paired with real-time ride oversight by a proven operations team to keep trips on time and drivers and riders safe and supported.
About GTA
Since 1991, Greensboro Transit Agency has continued to serve the public as the City of Greensboro’s municipal public transportation provider. For more information on GTA, visit: www.ridegta.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 drivers, with drug and alcohol screening that meets FTA standards, for ADA Paratransit and rider choice programs. UZURV holds contracts for assisted community mobility services with more than 40 organizations across the United States, including six 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/.
Finalist for RVA Tech’s Annual Award Ceremony
UZURV is excited to announce that we are finalists for the 22nd Annual “Academy Awards of Technology” in two categories – Emerging Small Business and Technology Builder. We are honored to be nominated for these awards, and greatly appreciate RVA Tech in recognizing the technology community in which we have grown our start-up company. “This award ceremony celebrates the breakthroughs, advancements and outstanding technologists who are driving our technology-based economy.” We can’t wait to attend #GeekProm in May!
The Emerging Small Business award will be given to, “a local small business or start-up technology company that has demonstrated the ability to achieve commercial success.”
The Technology Builder award will be “awarded to a local technology company delivering technology solutions and/or services to external clients that build capacity and increase operational efficiency.”
For more information, view other finalists, and learn more about this event, visit the RVA Tech website.
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 drivers, with drug and alcohol screening that meets FTA standards, for ADA Paratransit and rider choice programs. UZURV holds contracts for assisted community mobility services with more than 40 organizations across the United States, including six 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 Partnership Provides Transportation for Citizens with Disabilities
On August 1, 2017, in partnership with Greater Richmond Transit Company, UZURV began operating the Care-On-Demand program to serve transportation needs of citizens who have physical or mental disabilities.
Under the Americans With Disabilities Act, municipalities are required to offer transportation options to those who have physical or mental disabilities. Municipalities across the country struggle to meet the demand. By tapping into the vast TNC resource to fill in the gaps UZURV is helping Richmond its neighbor, Henrico County, bring Smart Transportation options to those who need it the most
The program is available exclusively for individuals who are eligible under the American Disabilities Act. GRTC anticipates the current demand to be around 250 rides per day.
Here at UZURV we are all hands on deck! We’ve worked with the highest rated rideshare drivers to be certified to drive under the Americans with Disabilities Act. And we have partnered with Regional Para-transit suppliers to provide specialty service for non-ambulatory riders. We’ve also built a great team to manage Special Transportation.
How the Program Works
The CARE On-Demand program is for people who are unable to access public transportation because of a physical or mental disability and meet the requirements set by the ADA program . It gives them the option to make reservations for private transportation with a co-pay. Now they can call the UZURV call center, make a ride reservation, request specific amenities or special accommodations, and be picked up on time with curb-to-curb and even door-to-door service.
“It’s a game changer,” says Roderyck Bullock , a current CARE user. “As far as I’m concerned, they’ve hit it out of the park with this program.”
It’s a smart, safe solution and we are proud to have been chosen to provide this service. For more on the CARE On-Demand Program, check out GRTC’s website .
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 drivers, with drug and alcohol screening that meets FTA standards, for ADA Paratransit and rider choice programs. UZURV holds contracts for assisted community mobility services with more than 40 organizations across the United States, including six 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/.