CTtransit Pilots Revolutionary Accessibility Program with Quantum

CTtransit will pilot Quantum on select buses.

Transportation is independence. It offers the freedom to move, find employment, receive an education, healthcare, and recreation. It empowers communities by creating opportunity and improving quality of life. With reliable transit options, everyone can reach their destination.

That is, in part, the basis for the Quantum pilot program that CTtransit has initiated by partnering with Q'Straint. Quantum is an advanced automatic wheelchair securement system that provides a self-securement experience for wheelchair users. This system allows customers in wheelchairs to independently secure themselves on the bus by simply backing into the system and pressing a button, locking their wheelchair in place.

"This device gives (customers) the freedom, safety, and independence to come on and off the bus," said Christopher DeGrave, Assistant General Manager of Safety, Security & Technical Training.

Quantum is the only system in the world that gives complete independence to mobility passengers.

You will find Quantum in use in paratransit organizations across the globe. However, with over 450 buses in rotation, transit systems are not using it to the scale that CTtransit is considering with this pilot program. As New England's second-largest public transit system, CTtransit would offer customers unprecedented access. For this pilot, one Quantum device will be deployed on a bus in New Haven, Stamford, and on the CTfastrak— all traveling various routes.

"We're looking to partner with disability organizations and groups that would be interested in attending a field day event or bringing (a bus) to an organization and having people try Quantum.” DeGrave said. “We want to get feedback. We want to know if customers feel safe and experience increased independence."

If this pilot succeeds, CTtransit’s goal is to add Quantum devices on new buses moving forward.

“CTtransit is committed to improving accessibility in public transportation,” said Thomas E. Stringer, Jr, General Manager. “Piloting innovative initiatives like Quantum is one of the ways we are working to create a more inclusive and equitable transit experience for all.”

Quantum is unique in that it requires no additional assistance from the professional bus operator. This device can adapt to almost any device, large or small, and uses Smart Sense technology to detect and adjust the grip on the wheelchair automatically. The deployment takes roughly 30 seconds.

"I've been with the company for 16 years; I understand the mechanical aspect of (Quantum)… but didn't realize how we were changing someone's life," said Marlon Gutierrez, OEM Sales Engineer for Q'Straint. "What we do is very important. It's a sense of service. We are helping."