Port Huron, MI — The Blue Water Area Transportation Commission is one of the recipients of a Michigan Department of Transportation Grant to install innovations to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The grant will pay to install an automated wheelchair securement system.
The grant is part of the Federal Transit Administration Public Transportation COVID-19 Research Demonstration Grant Program. The state received $600,000 which is being shared among six public transit agencies. The other winners were in Saginaw, Jackson, Marquette, Western Washtenaw, and Charlevoix County.
Jean Ruestman, MDOT Office of Passenger Transportation administrator, said, “Public transit remains a vital service for many citizens getting to work, school, shopping, or doctor’s appointments. We continue to work with our partner transit agencies to look for grants for innovative solutions to protect passengers and transit workers from the virus.”
The Blue Water Area Transit will get a system developed by Q’straint which allows passengers to self-secure their wheelchairs and eliminate close contact with the bus driver.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
