Bay Transit, the public transportation division of Bay Aging, and VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital are pleased to announce a collaboration that will improve access to the hospital and medical office buildings for transportation disadvantaged patients, employees, and volunteers. “This is just the first step,” said Elizabeth J. Martin, President of VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital. “In addition to adding a second Bay Transit bus shelter near our medical office buildings and supporting additional service hours of the “Rivah Ride”, we are also looking at how we can help transportation disadvantaged patients improve their access to our health care services in Richmond and elsewhere in the region.”
With VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital’s financial support, effective March 1st, the service hours of the Rivah Ride deviated fixed-route bus were increased by one hour to nine hours a day, Monday through Friday from 7 AM until 4 PM. VCU Health’s three-year commitment helps ensure the Rivah Ride is available throughout the day, improving access to the hospital and across Tappahannock. As Tappahannock Town Manager Eric Pollitt stated, “The Council appreciates the increased service Bay Transit and VCU Health is providing to those who face transportation challenges. We thank them for their service to the Tappahannock community.”
Bay Transit Director Ken Pollock noted that improved access, whether for healthcare, work, or educational opportunities, has inspired several strategic partnerships over the years. “We have a fantastic collaboration with the RCC Educational Foundation that has been in place for several years,” Pollock stated. “The Foundation pays for student transportation on Bay Transit to and from any of RCC’s four regional campuses. The same strategy of improving access for transportation disadvantaged individuals was the basis of our new partnership with VCU Health.”
Expanded Rivah Ride service hours were promoted during a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Bay Transit bus shelter at the VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital medical office buildings on March 8th. VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital President Elizabeth Martin, Tappahannock Mayor Roy Gladding, Bay Transit Director Ken Pollock, and Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation’s (DRPT) Chief of Public Transportation Zach Trogdon all gave brief remarks to the audience at the ribbon cutting ceremony. Other attendees included Essex County Administrator April Rounds, Tappahannock – Essex County Chamber of Commerce President Teresa Lankford, Essex County Board Supervisor Edwin E. “Bud” Smith, Jr., Bay Transit Operations Manager Pat Sanders, and local media representatives.
For more information about Bay Transit, please visit the Bay Transit website at www.BayTransit.org. For more information about VCU Health Tappahannock Hospital, please visit their website at https://www.vcuhealth.org/tappahannock/locations/tappahannock-hospital. To learn more about Bay Aging, please visit the website at www.BayAging.org.
