“My husband, Albert, is a retired police officer. He is 87 years old and has had multiple surgeries. Recently, his right leg was amputated above the knee. He uses a wheelchair, and I can’t bring him in my car. Getting where we need to go has been challenging, like rehab facilities. I broke my arm, and I’ve had hip surgeries. We need accessible transportation to get where we need to go.” — Marie Sandoval
“My brother, Michael, recently passed. My sister and brother usually drove him to appointments; it was challenging because they both worked. I flew in from out of state multiple times to help my siblings and ensure Michael received the care he needed. We made it work to get him where he needed to go, but getting even a few rides a month would have greatly reduced the pressure on him and our family.” — Dawn I. (last name withheld for privacy)
“It would help me a lot if I could get rides to and from the doctor and grocery stores. My family can’t bring me where I need to go. Sometimes, I can’t go to the doctor when I need to. I would ride with Via [Mobility Services] multiple times a week if I could. It would make a big difference.” — Michael Gallegos
“My dad is 90 years old and lives in a retirement community. He relies on me, my husband and my sister for rides to dialysis three days a week. My dad feels guilty about taking up so much of our time. Transportation with Via would give him the independence he needs and be an amazing blessing for our family.” — Karen (last name withheld for privacy)
The people quoted above want to ride with Via, a Boulder-based nonprofit provider of affordable, accessible transportation. Our specially trained drivers help people with limited mobility enhance their independence and self-sufficiency. We provide about 12,000 accessible trips for older adults and people with disabilities every year.
Karen, Michael, Dawn and Marie all reside in our service areas. But we can’t accommodate them because we are at capacity. Marie and her husband used to ride with Via and lapsed. When they tried to register with us again, there was no room.
Despite serving thousands of Colorado residents each year, Via estimates that at least an additional 1,000 individuals need accessible transportation. That’s 1,000 older adults and people with disabilities missing a crucial medical appointment, not having enough groceries at home or remaining isolated instead of connecting with others.
Colorado’s aging population means there are more older people than ever before needing accessible transportation. Existing funding sources are insufficient to support the increased need or Via’s desire to scale.
There are some government plans to increase funding for transportation. Via’s CEO, Frank W. Bruno, played a pivotal role in ensuring that nonprofit public transit providers like Via are eligible recipients of funds from SB24-230. This recently passed bill taxes oil and gas companies to fund public transit in Colorado. But much more funding will be necessary to help organizations like Via meet the growing need for accessible transportation.
$3M needed
Growth in the older population is driven mainly by the aging of the baby boomer generation, born between 1946 and 1964. By 2030, all baby boomers will be 65 or older.
In 2020, about 1 in 6 people in the United States were 65 and over. In 1920, less than 1 in 20 were. Given this rapid aging, Pew Research Center concluded that “the cost of our programs for seniors will soon exceed half of the federal budget.”
Government spending will need to increase on the state and local levels as well. This worsening problem cannot be solved by nonprofits or residents.
Via does not charge riders the total service cost: 82% of our funding goes to direct services for our neighbors with limited mobility rather than on administration. Some rides are free for riders, paid for by grants or contracts. Riders in some service areas are charged a fare, capped at just $12 for longer trips that cross town lines.
To accommodate another 1,000 riders this year would cost roughly $3 million. That’s about 12% of Via’s annual budget. And we expect both the amount of people needing accessible transportation and the cost of each trip to rise every year.
Due to surging inflation and a nationwide driver and mechanic shortage, operating costs have increased significantly since 2020. Revenues from grants and other sources have stayed the same or decreased.
Via has made progress toward financial stability by adopting new route management software and purchasing a satellite facility in Denver after leasing for over 20 years. These measures have improved operational efficiency and reduced costs.
Via also relies on grants and income-generating contracts as a social enterprise to assist its accessible transportation program and actively pursues new contracts to bridge this gap. We partner with municipalities like the City of Boulder to operate and maintain its HOP public buses. The HOP and a dozen other transit services contribute to the costs of Via’s founding mission services.
How to help
Support from individuals is also an important piece of the funding pie that makes Via’s accessible transportation services possible. Donations can help Via meet the growing demand and continue our commitment to mobility for all, for life. Past gifts of stocks and bequests from caring donors’ wills have made a big difference in helping meet the needs of our older and disabled neighbors.
Some other ways to help:
- Contact elected officials. Write or call your local and state representatives to express your support for increased funding for public transit and nonprofits like Via.
- Stay informed. Follow legislative developments related to public transit funding and share updates within your network.
- Participate. Attend and testify at public hearings to advocate for policies that support accessible transportation services. You can attend the Boulder County Board of County Commissioners’ regular public hearings, where residents can provide input on various issues, including transportation. Upcoming meetings can be found on their public meetings page.
- Become an advocate. Join a local or national advocacy group focused on public transit and nonprofit funding, such as Boulder County Mobility for All.
- Spread the word. Use social media to raise awareness about funding accessible transportation services. Start with sharing this piece to your networks.
Your support is crucial. For more information or to donate, please visit viacolorado.org/give or contact 720.507.8606.
Zoe DeVito is director of development and communications for Via Mobility Services. Founded in 1979, Via helps thousands of riders in multiple counties in Colorado live more self-sufficient lives by providing caring, accessible, door-through-door transportation. Via also operates several public transit bus services under contract, such as the City of Boulder’s HOP and Littleton Omnibus.
This opinion does not necessarily reflect the views of Boulder Weekly.