Many of us in the transit industry will look back at 2020 and the COVID-19 crisis as a season of stress and disruption. Remarkably, many transit agencies have risen to the challenge, working harder to make sure that all communities are being served. We’re thankful for the agencies going above and beyond. Here are a few of their stories:
- In response to food insecurity caused by COVID-19, Charlevoix County Transit (CCT) in northern Michigan began providing home delivery of groceries, food pantry packages, meals provided by senior centers, and prescription medications to older adults and at-risk individuals who should not leave the safety of their homes.
- Rabbit transit from Pennsylvania responded to the pandemic by partnering with the local health system to provide homeless individuals and families transportation to testing facilities and safe quarantine locations.
- Two community groups, the MLK Center and Near Northwest Response Team, have partnered with IndyGo in Indianapolis to provide residents with access to essentials such as groceries and prescriptions amid the COVID-19 outbreak. IndyGo also provides non-perishable food to families in need.
- The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) has partnered with Beep and NAVYA to use autonomous vehicles to facilitate the transport of COVID-19 tests collected at a drive-thru testing location at Mayo Clinic in Florida.
Public transportation’s adaptation during this time of crisis demonstrates the capacity to change traditional forms of mobility to meet the needs of people, ensure the safe movement of goods, and make the world more resilient.
