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VTA’s New Mobility Options Program Provides Independence Training Assists Seniors and Persons with Disabilities Unfamiliar with VTA Bus and Light Rail

Release Number:	nr09-07
Release Date:	Jul 24, 2009

San Jose, Calif. - The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is launching its Mobility Options Program with a kick-off event in celebration of our first ever Senior Daycation.  While many Silicon Valley residents have taken to riding VTA bus and light rail, there are individuals who choose not to ride because they are not familiar with VTA services.  VTA’s Mobility Options Program offers free travel training to persons with disabilities and seniors.  The training provides information and practical experience for individuals to safely and confidently use accessible public transportation and expand their independent travel options. 

San Jose Councilmember and VTA Board Director Ash Kalra will be participating in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to dedicate the Mobility Options Bus.  “The Mobility Options Program is very significant since it offers a sense of freedom to participants by making them feel comfortable with their travel on VTA bus and light rail systems,” said Kalra.

Following the kick-off event, VTA is inviting a group of seniors for a Senior Daycation, an excursion that combines the elements of senior group travel training with a fun destination.  The Mobility Options Bus will disembark from the Southside Senior Center in San Jose.  The group will travel to the Farmer’s Market in downtown San Jose.  The celebration occurs Friday, July 31, 2009 at the Southside Senior Center’s Multi-purpose Room beginning at 10 a.m. 

“The ability to use buses and light rail has made such a difference in my life because now I can make more spur-of-the-moment travel decisions,” said
recent graduate of VTA’s Mobility Options Program Steve Lorence.

Travel instruction is tailored to meet individual needs and typically includes the following:
• Pedestrian Safety
• Requesting bus information
• Trip planning
• Reading bus schedules
• Using the wheelchair lift or ramp and securement system (if needed), and
• Using and understanding fare options
A new brochure highlighting the Travel Training program is now available by calling VTA’s Customer Service Center at (408) 321-2300, TTY for the hearing-impaired only, (408) 321-2330.

For additional details about VTA, please log onto www.vta.org and click on any blue envelope icon to sign-up for VTA bus/light rail email updates.
 

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About VTA

Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is an independent special
district that provides sustainable, accessible, community-focused transportation options that are innovative, environmentally responsible, and promote the vitality
of our region.  VTA is responsible for bus, light rail and paratransit operations; congestion management; specific highway improvement projects; countywide transportation planning and provides these services throughout the county including the cities of Campbell, Cupertino, Gilroy, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Los Gatos, Milpitas, Monte Sereno, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Palo Alto, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale.  VTA continually builds partnerships to deliver transportation solutions that meet the evolving mobility needs of Santa Clara County.
 

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