Older adults and people with disabilities experience the adverse side effects of social isolation at a higher rate than the average American. Humans are social creatures, and plenty of those we serve are already far too familiar with the struggles of social isolation. Access to affordable, accessible transportation removes one of the many barriers to staying connected that people limited mobility options face. But transportation is only one part of a more extensive network of services that people need.As we being to face the realities of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19, we are all being encouraged to practice social distancing to help stop the spread of this disease. Were acutely aware of the challenges that those in isolation, whether by choice or necessity, face, and we understand that this is an uncertain and stressful time. At Via, we have already seen a decline in ride requests as our riders decide to stay home. Over the past week, senior and recreation centers, adult day facilities, and public events and spaces have made the difficult decision to close or reduce hours as a precaution to help minimize the effects of this outbreak in our community. You can learn more about Vias response here. We have compiled a list of resources to help you and your loved ones access the services you need, and weve included some other ideas of how everyone can stay connected and engaged.If you have any resources that you would like to share, we would love to hear from you! Please email your ideas and resources to via@viacolorado.org so we can add them to this list.

Registered Via riders can now book a trip to get their COVID-19 vaccine.Because this is a two-dose vaccine, Via will work with riders to schedule their second trip as soon as the rider knows the date of the second appointment. Registered riders can schedule a trip by calling 303-447-9636.If you are not a registered rider, call Via's Mobility Specialists at 303-444-3043 to get signed up. Via's services are available to older adults (60+) and adults living with a disability.This service is available in all of Via's service areas; Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver, and Jefferson counties, parts of Weld County, and in the Town of Estes Park. For vaccination trips, riders can book trips between counties. Service for residents living in mountain communities may be available.Do you need to be driven to your vaccination appointment? Via can help!Passengers registered with Via can now book a ride to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.Because this is a two-dose vaccine, Via will work with passengers to schedule their second trip as soon as the passenger knows the date of the second appointment. Registered passengers can schedule a ride by calling 303-447-9636.If you are not registered as a passenger, call a Via mobility specialist at 303-444-3043 to check in. Via services are available to seniors (60+) and adults living with disabilities.This service is available in all Via service areas, Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Denver and Jefferson counties, parts of Weld County and in the city of Estes Park. For travel for vaccination, passengers can book county-to-county travel. The service may be available for residents living in rural communities.

You may have first experienced our nonprofit organization as a provider of paratransit services to the elderly and people with temporary or permanent disabilities. Or perhaps you became familiar with Via without even knowing who we are as you rode on the City of Boulder HOP bus route. This service has been operated and maintained by Via since 1994. Initially envisioned by the City and Via, the route makes it possible to get from the University of Colorado campus to the historic Pearl Street shopping district, and the 29th Street shopping and entertainment area without getting into a car. Via has also operated FlexRide, formerly Call-n-Ride, and Access-a-Ride services for RTD for many years. We also operate well-loved commuter micro transit routes such as the Lyons Flyer, HOP to Chautauqua, RideFree Lafayette, and the Omnibus for the City of Littleton. While initially headquartered and focused in Boulder County, Via has grown into Broomfield, Larimer, Weld Counties, and in 2020, on short notice, we took over from a Wheat Ridge based nonprofit that provided services to the mobility handicapped throughout the Denver metro area that had decided to end its paratransit service. This brought Vias signature door-through-door service to the four-county Denver area. When local government contracts with Via for shuttles or other public transit, there are several unique benefits that we provide at no additional cost.These include:1. REINVESTMENT IN COMMUNITY PARATRANSITVia directs the earned income from our contracts into affordable paratransit services for that community. This revenue, combined with other funding, is used to leverage additional federal and state grants, vastly increasing the services provided to our communities. This is unique to Via, as no other service provider reinvests its earned income to increase and expand necessary mobility services to our most vulnerable community members.2. PUBLIC DOLLARS REMAIN IN THE COMMUNITYAs a community-based nonprofit organization, Via works hard to be an efficient and cost-effective operation. We invest over 85 percent of our resources on direct program support; our revenues are reinvested in our communities, our employees, our facilities, and our sustainability programs and are not diverted to remote shareholders.3. CRISIS RESPONSE & COMMUNITY SAFETYWhen local government contracts with Via we offer our First and Second Crisis Response services. Via provided emergency response evacuations to residents during the 2013 floods and multiple wildfire events over the years, including the Marshall Fire in 2022. Via has been recognized by the Boulder County Sheriffs Office as a heroic and vital component of the Office of Disaster Management. Via is not paid for these services, but we underwrite the costs as a community reinvestment.4. PUBLIC ACCESS PARTNERSHIPSA further community benefit of working with Via includes access to our facilities: our 12-acre east Boulder campus is available to be used as a crisis center and public meeting space. In the aftermath of the horrific King Soopers killings, Via quickly organized our facility into a crisis response center where families could meet privately with law enforcement, counselling, and other critical resourcesVia is there for the community.5. ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY LEADERSHIPVia has been a leader in and is committed to Environmental Sustainability and will be fully converting our fleet to zero emission vehicles. We are also partnering with the City of Boulder and Boulder County to continue to build out our on-site solar microgrid. We coordinate closely with our local government partners to ensure that we represent their policies and priorities in the services we offer and the way we conduct our business.6. WORKFORCE TRAINING & DEVELOPMENTVia recently launched a relationship with CareerWise Colorado to begin our first auto mechanic apprenticeship program in 2024 with student employees. It is our goal to mentor and train young people in the newest emerging battery electric and hydrogen technologies, and then be able to offer a full-time, market-based position following graduation.Why Partner with Via Mobility Services?Via Mobility Services is a vital partner for your local government.Despite our many strengths, it would be increasingly difficult for Via Mobility Services to compete head-to-head with national and international for-profit companies intent on entering the market with a strategy of losing money but gaining market share. This is a reality that we face, but when local and county governments fully understand our business model and policy direction, the advantages of a partnership with Via Mobility Services are clear. Thank you for choosing to work with us!

Firestones Paratransit Service is Expanding!The Town of Firestone recently received a grant that will expand operating hours and open this service to those who qualify as Low-Moderate* income. Starting Monday, August 16, 2021, Vias Paratransit service in Firestone will be available Monday through Friday, 8:00 am 3:00 pm.This service, funded by the Town of Firestone, is available to residents who reside within the Town of Firestone.DO I QUALIFY?You must live within the Town of Firestone.You must be 60 years old or older, have a disability, or qualify as low income. Residents with a temporary disability qualify for this service.*Low-Moderate income: The current household income qualifications are no more than the following amounts based on the number of persons within the household:Source: HUD, 2020, 80% Area Median Income for Weld County Income numbers may be adjusted annuallyWHERE CAN I GO?This service is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am 3:00 pm.Via can take you almost anywhere youd like to go, including medical appointments, therapy, grocery stores, social events, senior centers, adult day programs, employment, and more.Via can also pick up and deliver pre-paid grocery orders within the Town of Firestone.Service is available within the Town of Firestone and between Firestone and Frederick, Dacono, Boulder, Longmont, or Lafayette. Service between communities may be limited to certain days.HOW DO I GET STARTED?It starts with a call! To register to use this service, contact Vias Mobility Specialists at 303-444-3043.