The City of Fresno/Fresno Area Express (FAX) in Fresno, CA, opened a new facility for its Handy Ride paratransit operation on May 22. City Council President Clint Olivier and Transportation Department Director Ken Hamm cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the Handy Ride Center.

The new facility replaces a leased warehouse where FAX had based its paratransit service for the past 15 years. It creates greater opportunities to assist persons with disabilities with modern services at a central location. The 90 employees at the new facility now have improved workspaces.

FAX funded Handy Ride Center with $3.2 million in State of California Public Transportation Modernization, Improvement, and Service Enhancement Act funds, better known as Proposition 1B Bond Funds. This capital investment saves the public transit agency $87,000 annually in lease payments from its operating budget.

“This is an exciting day for me.” Hamm said. “When I arrived in 2006, the Handy Ride facility became one of my top priorities. The MV Transportation employees have done outstanding work for the past seven years without ever complaining about a less than ideal facility. It is a joy to open this new facility for today and the future.”

Fresno City Council President Clint Olivier, at left holding scissors, and Director of Transportation Ken Hamm cut the ribbon at the Handy Ride Center, FAX’s new paratransit facility.