TriMet LIFT paratransit operations continues partnership with First Transit

First Transit announces that the company has renewed the paratransit contract with TriMet in Portland, Oregon. First Transit operates 268 vehicles for TriMet LIFT paratransit services and manages all scheduling and operations of the paratransit call center.

First Transit will add SmartDrive® and Mobileye® technology applications to the entire paratransit fleet. These improvements will allow real-time monitoring of every trip, enhancing the safety of the passengers and the efficiency of the fleet. SmartDrive uses video to help managers coach drivers on their individual performance. Mobileye provides alerts if the driver is not keeping a safe distance from a nearby vehicle.

First Transit moves 4,000 passengers per weekday and receives more than 32,000 calls a month for the TriMet LIFT paratransit service.

“First Transit is proud to have been in partnership with TriMet for more than 25 years,” said Nick Promponas, senior vice president, First Transit. “The addition of this new technology will provide a better customer experience for the passengers of TriMet LIFT paratransit.”

The LIFT’s paratransit service area covers all locations that are within three-fourths of a mile of TriMet’s fixed-route and MAX light-rail stops.

About First Transit

First Transit has 60 years of experience and is one of the largest private sector providers of transportation contract and management services in North America, moving more than 350 million passengers annually. We manage public transport systems on behalf of city transit authorities, are one of the largest shuttle bus providers in the US and also manage paratransit operations, call centres and other activities on behalf of transit authorities, state departments of transportation, municipalities, hospitals, universities and private companies.