DRIVEN

Transportation equity is a long-standing challenge for many of the communities we serve – and especially for people with disabilities. Through their service every day, UZURV Drivers help to close the transportation gap by providing rides for those who need them most.

But there is much more we can do, which is why UZURV spends time at transportation and disability conferences, as well as trade shows each year, telling our story.

Last month, UZURV’s Ron Brooks, Senior Director for Policy and Stakeholder Engagement, and Ebony Webb, Senior Compliance Manager, traveled to Los Angeles to attend The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials, better known as COMTO, 2023 National Meeting and Training Conference.

“COMTO is all about equity and inclusion,” said Webb, who is pictured left. “It’s not just minorities. It’s adaptive transportation, it’s paratransit, it’s all of it.”

COMTO is the leading national industry association advocating for employment diversity, inclusion, and contracting opportunities in the transportation industry. The COMTO annual conference brings together industry leaders across all modes of transportation for four days of learning, training, and networking.

The conversation wasn’t just about equity and inclusion for folks using transportation, but also towards a transportation workforce that reflects the diverse community around it.

“The disability community has an adage: Nothing about us without us,” said Brooks, who is a respected advocate for people with disabilities and a member of the blind/low vision community.

“People in our workforce should reflect the people we transport. So there is a lot of alignment between COMTO’s and UZURV’s missions,” he continued. “We’re all about giving people opportunities to reflect the communities they live in, both to drive and also to transport people who need it. If our workforce is diverse, then our diverse ridership will feel more comfortable.”

Brooks also moderated a workshop about ways we can make transportation better and more accessible for people with disabilities. One of the workshop’s presenters, Amy Hockman, Interim Chief of Operations for the Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) in Columbus, Ohio, talked about the partnership that COTA has with UZURV.

“She praised UZURV as a partner. And she complimented our drivers for the quality of service they provide, which COTA routinely hears about from riders,” Brooks recalled.

UZURV Drivers make the difference in programs like COTA and elsewhere around the country. They are making transportation accessible for the everyday needs of their riders, where traditional paratransit cannot. And the news of their great work is spreading.

“Riders hear reports from other riders in communities where UZURV operates,” Brooks said. “They hear the service is good, the drivers are courteous, our service runs on time, it’s comfortable, and people feel safe. They want that in their communities.”

Webb added, “Quite a few agencies stopped by our booth to learn more about our services. Several have a very strong interest and are serious about furthering the conversation.”

The reason for such interest, Brooks says, is the people who make up UZURV.

“Our drivers and our call center – the folks on the front lines – they are the ones who sell the service,” he continued. “These kinds of opportunities don’t happen if the frontline doesn’t deliver the kind of service that UZURV team members deliver every day.”

“When you mix that kind of dedication with the message of diversity, equity and inclusion from an organization like COMTO – that to me is powerful,” he concluded.

 Great service starts with UZURV Drivers! Remember the basics –

• Provide Door-to-Door service for every ride
• Ask “What can I do to assist you today?“
• Arrive on time
• Always accept service animals

🏆 How do you go above and beyond? 🏆