ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Wednesday, February 7, 1996            TAG: 9602070021
SECTION: CURRENT                  PAGE: NRV-2 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: TRACY GALLIMORE

PARATRANSIT CAN HELP

Blacksburg Transit's Paratransit Service offers door-through-door assistance to the disabled.

Patrons are helped through the door of the pickup location, in and out of the vehicle and through the door of the destination.

People who are unable to use other public transportation because of a disability or limitation are eligible for the service.

The Paratransit serves all areas within the town limits, half a mile past the town limits on Nellies Cave Road and three-quarters of a mile past Montgomery Regional Hospital, including all doctors' offices within that area. Patrons can schedule transfers to other bus routes including the Two Town Trolley, a shuttle between Christiansburg and Blacksburg.

Kevin Doncker, paratransit coordinator, directs the operation and is especially concerned about patron safety during bad weather.

"People need to be aware that snow and ice removal is important to the patrons of our service, too," he said. "If we arrive at a residence and the entryway and walks are blocked because of snow, we would be unable to enter to safely pick up the patron."

Drivers sometimes throw down salt to help make a safer path for their customers.

But sometimes, Donckers said, salt is not enough, and the drivers end up taking their customers back home.

For more information, call the Blacksburg Transit Paratransit Office at 961-1803.

LENGTH: Short :   36 lines