Brevard County, FL – Space Coast Area Transit launched the popular Ride with Jim quarterly transit events last year and continues to offer this experience for the community. The next event will take place in Melbourne on May 15th. Ride with Jim provides the general public and transit advocates an opportunity to share coffee & conversation with those who help shape Brevard County’s Transit System.
Co-sponsored by Bagel 13, the May 15th event begins with a bus picking up registered riders at the Melbourne Square Mall transit stop and driving them to the Melbourne Bagel 13 restaurant for a chat over coffee and a bagel with new Assistant County Manager and 20+ year Director of Space Coast Area Transit, Jim Liesenfelt. As part of an overall focus on accessibility, the May 15th Ride with Jim event will transport attendees using a bus that features a new fully automatic, rear-facing wheelchair securement station, called QUANTUM. Space Coast Area Transit recently rolled out a pilot program that focuses on innovative solutions to advance the safety and effectiveness of wheelchair passenger travel.
“Two Space Coast Area Transit buses were recently equipped with the QUANTUM at no cost to the transit agency,” stated Liesenfelt. “This system provides unique benefits such as additional safety for the disabled rider, as documented by the proven benefits of rear-facing child safety car seats; ease of securement for drivers; added independence for mobility riders; and faster boarding, meaning less curb time and more miles on the road. I look forward to spreading awareness of this program during Ride with Jim.”
In addition to the Melbourne event, a Ride with Jim event in Port St. John is confirmed for August 29th. The final event of the year will take place in Merritt Island on October 29th. There is no cost to those who wish to participate, although seating is limited. Interested guests must pre-register online at 321Transit.com/RideWithJim or call 321-635-7815 ext. 201 for registration assistance.