The inaugural Coffee with the Community event, held at the Vista Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired last Wednesday, April 10, 2024, was a huge success!

The event, aimed at fostering engagement and discussion on improving paratransit services for the blind and visually impaired, saw enthusiastic participation from around 64 in-person and virtual attendees. 

Rachelle Tagud, RTS Manager, set the tone with her Opening Remarks, emphasizing the importance of meaningful dialogue, shared experiences, and innovative solutions in enhancing transportation services for the community. Calvin Lun from MV staff delivered an informative presentation on Trip Parameters, offering valuable insights into trip scheduling and batching processes. Xuan Ha, RTS Management Analyst, provided updates on VTA’s Mobility Assistance Program (MAP), marking a significant milestone as Vista Center becomes a proud partner in implementing Phase I of the project, which includes distributing monthly VTA passes, gas cards, and paratransit credit fares.

The event saw a notable response, with Vista receiving ten applications for the MAP Phase I project by the time the event ended.

The event's highlight was the engagement activity facilitated by the RTS team, featuring five questions covering accessibility features, communication, transportation needs, technology innovation, and supportive services and resources.

Lisa Quan, Vista Director, commended VTA for creating a positive experience and strengthening client relationships. Clients appreciated the opportunity for personal interaction and felt heard by VTA, with one customer expressing gratitude for the insightful presentations and introduction of new programs to support the community.

The success of the Coffee with the Community event underscores the importance of collaboration and dialogue in improving Paratransit services, reaffirming VTA's commitment to enhancing accessibility and inclusivity for all members of the community.