EMT Joins With Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority

By: Express Medical Transporters | 79 Shares 339 Reads

October 04, 2010 // Franchising.com // Express Medical Transporters (EMT) has signed on to provide door-to-door transportation for the paratransit system of the Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA). EMT will be one of three companies clients can choose for ambulatory transportation as part of PSTA's Demand Response Transportation (DART) program, which provides services for people who are unable to independently use the regular, accessible PSTA buses because of their disability. The one-year contract starts Oct. 1, 2010. Each ride costs $3.50.

"We are excited about this opportunity to work with the PSTA and provide transportation for a whole new set of clients," said Jeanine Blake, owner of EMT in Pinellas County.

As part of the choice-driven contract, EMT will be able to market to clientele, who can call them directly for bookings. EMT will be on call to provide ambulatory transportation through the DART program during regular PSTA hours. While DART transportation is not limited to medical trips, EMT often provides transportation to and from doctor's appointments, hospitals, dialysis treatment, rehabilitation appointments or nursing homes.

Jeanine and her husband David opened EMT of Tampa Bay in December 2008. Since then, they have grown to between 25 and 30 employees and more than 40 vehicles. The Blakes also hold minority ownership in EMT in Montgomery, Birmingham and Mobile, Ala., which is run by Jeanine's mother, Janice Warhurst. They plan to continue expansion in an organic fashion.

In addition to providing service for DART clients, EMT provides professional, non-emergency transportation services for a wide variety of clients including passengers in wheelchairs, seniors and the disabled, special-needs children and many others. Agencies, institutions, adult day care, rehab centers, mental health facilities, medical offices, dialysis centers, state Medicaid, hospitals, schools and more all utilize EMT's services.

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