RTD announces a new program to help deliver groceries to disabled passengers.
Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD) has announced a new way to help its disabled passengers during the statewide stay-at-home order. The Access-a-Ride program helps disabled residents who have a disability that prevents them from getting to the fixed rail and bus routes in the metro area. The same program is now going to offer grocery delivery services to Access-a-Rider passengers who need it.
The new focus aims to help those with disabilities and those at high risk of infection from the COVID-19 virus a way to access food without having to leave their residences.
No fee will be charged for this service, and there are currently five grocers and organizations participating to provide food—Safeway, King Soopers, Adams County Food Bank, Senior Hub Senior Solutions, and Community Ministry Southwest Foodbank.
Other grocers interested in supporting the program can contact RTD at 303-299-6000 for more information.
Here is how the RTD Access-a-Ride food delivery service will work:
- Qualified individuals will call the participation food bank or grocer and place the order and schedule a pickup time.
- When an order is placed, the individual will call RTD Access-a-Ride at 303-292-6560 and provide the order details. RTD staff will set up a trip to collect and deliver the order.
- Make sure to order at least one day in advance when setting up pickup orders to give RTD time to schedule trips.
- Please do not order frozen food, it is possible it will remain on the vehicle for an hour or more and it may go bad.
- Drivers will leave groceries on the front porch of residences. Please be home when the delivery arrives, they cannot leave food at an unattended residence. Drivers will not come inside, instead, they'll call or text to let you know the delivery has arrived.
This service is likely to be greatly appreciated by the passengers who regularly use the paratransit system and cannot get access to rides to grocery stores for essentials.
“We are well aware that during a state of emergency, one of the first things people can lose access to is food,” said Paul Hamilton, senior manager of paratransit services, in a press release. “When the public is being told to reduce their exposure to others, the last thing we want to do is ask them to leave their homes if they don’t have to. We are pleased to help our customers where they are, and we appreciate the grocers and food banks that are working with us to provide people with this crucial service.”
This delivery service will provide some vital support to a community already at risk. We appreciate everything the department is doing to help.
Do you know of any other food delivery or other services that are helping out at-risk populations during the stay-at-home orders? Please share the details with us in the comments.
