The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the demand for regional transport agencies, as a large portion of their user base does not leave their house nearly as much. Brooke Ramsey with HIRTA tells KNIA News despite all the changes, their services have remained the same and the community that has supported HIRTA during the pandemic has been amazing.

“We’ve had a wonderful network of volunteers around the area who have reached out, making homemade masks for us. So far we have received over 200 homemade masks for our drivers and staff, we’ve received masks and hand sanitizer through Medicaid and managed care organizations, and even today when I came into the office there were just two gallon sized ziploc baggies of masks and I don’t even know where they came from. So people have just been amazing with their generosity and their kindness through this.”

Ramsey also said she appreciates the hard work the drivers are doing right now to keep the services going.