'Elements of life': Bay County launches Bayway on Demand+ for transportation disadvantaged
PANAMA CITY − Public transportation just got a whole lot easier for disadvantaged residents.
In a press release on Monday, Bay County Transit officials announced the launch of Bayway On Demand+, which is a partnership between the county and Uber to provide affordable transportation options for seniors, residents with incomes below the federal poverty guidelines and those with disabilities that prevent them from using traditional Bayway bus routes.
Through the program, such residents can order rides through both Uber and Bayway demand, and they are charged only a $1.50 copay.
"Most all of us have some form of transportation ... but unfortunately there are people, lots of people, who live within our community and don't have access to transportation," said Lamar Hobbs, transit program administrator for Bay County. "It's important for those people to continue to have access to the general, everyday elements of life, and a big part of that is being able to get transportation."
Past reports note the program was possible thanks to a more than $700,000 grant from the Florida Commission for the Transportation Disadvantaged.
The grant will be used to pay remaining balances on rides taken throughout Bay County by residents who qualify as transportation disadvantaged. There is no limit for how many rides one person can take.
To be eligible for the program's benefits, residents must register as transportation disadvantaged. This means they have no other means of transportation, as well as meet at least one more requirement − at least 60 years old, earn an income below the current poverty guideline or have a disability.
Bayway is made of two types of transportation: a fixed route system with designated routes throughout the area, and a demand response system that allows qualified applicants to request specific pickup and drop-off times.
Looking back: Bay County uses grant to help pay bus, Uber fees for 'transportation disadvantaged' people
The Bayway On Demand+ program applies to both demand response and Uber rides within the county. To apply for transportation disadvantaged status, visit www.baywaytransit.org.
"Public transportation being available when a person wants it has become such an important thing not only in our community, but across the country," Hobbs said. "This is one step that we're taking here in Bay County to help those people get access to public transit a lot quicker and a lot easier than maybe they have been able to in the past."
This article originally appeared on The News Herald: Bay County launches Bayway on Demand+ through partnership with Uber
