Recently, MTM Transit was pleased to host members of the American Bus Benchmarking Group (ABBG) at the OC ACCESS Eligibility Center in partnership with our client, the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA). The visit gave participating transit agency staff valuable firsthand insight into effective paratransit operations—specifically Americans with Disabilities (ADA) paratransit eligibility and certification processes.
ABBG Paratransit brings together transit professionals to share best practices, performance insights, and innovative approaches to paratransit service delivery. During the site visit, the group toured the OC ACCESS Eligibility Center, observing key elements of the operation, including:
- The ADA paratransit certification eligibility process
- Assessment spaces and tools
- Customer flow and experience
- Day-to-day operational practices that support high-quality service
In addition to the tour, MTM Transit shared updates on exciting new initiatives we have launched within OCTA’s paratransit eligibility process—including virtual eligibility interviewing and the Marking and Tethering program—both of which represent important advancements in how OCTA delivers accessible transportation services.
A Note of Appreciation from OCTA
We were grateful to receive the following message from our partners at OCTA following the visit:
“On behalf of OCTA, I want to extend our sincere appreciation to you and your team for your partnership and support in hosting the site visit at the OC ACCESS Certification Center as part of the ABBG Paratransit Workshop. Your team’s coordination, professionalism, and willingness to open your facility played a key role in the success of the technical visit. The ability to showcase our eligibility process, operations, and collaborative approach in a real-world setting provided valuable insight to the visiting peer agencies from across the country.
We especially appreciate the effort that went into preparing the site, supporting the presentations, and ensuring a seamless experience for attendees. The positive engagement and feedback we received from participants reflect the strength of our partnership and the work your team delivers every day. This type of collaboration is exactly what allows us to effectively share best practices and continue advancing paratransit services both locally and nationally. We look forward to continuing to build on this partnership and identifying additional opportunities to enhance service delivery and the customer experience.”
Events and partnerships like this highlight the power of collaboration in the transit industry. By opening our doors and sharing real-world experiences, we help elevate paratransit eligibility standards for our clients and improve outcomes for passengers who rely on these essential services.
Thank you again to the ABBG participants, our OCTA partners, and the entire MTM Transit team for making this visit a success. We look forward to future opportunities to learn, share, and innovate together!
