It’s been in the planning stages for a couple years and in testing mode for the past several weeks. Tuesday, United Hospital Center’s “People Mover” was released for full-time use.

 

During daylight hours Monday through Friday, the newly purchased vehicle is available to transport individuals from the UHC parking lot to all buildings on the hospital campus. Return rides, as well as transportation between buildings is also available. Manned by volunteers, the first day went smoothly as many were given lifts to and from their medical destinations.

 

The battery-powered enclosed golf cart, equipped with heating and air conditioning, was purchased by the Auxiliary to UHC with proceeds from the 2018 Winter Ball and thereafter donated to UHC, said Carole Moodispaugh, auxiliary president.

 

The vehicle had been placed on the UHC wish list after a need was discovered, said Denise Steffich, director of volunteer services.

 

“We had discovered that there were many things happening. As busy as the hospital is on some days, it’s hard to find a place to park and people who really needed handicap parking end up parking in the fourth or fifth rows of the parking lot and have difficulty getting into the hospital,” she said. “We also discovered people were being dropped off at the main building who actually needed to go to Orthopaedics or Mountaineer Medical Office Building and then their ride was gone. We decided we needed to do something about it.”

 

The service is free and available to anyone visiting any building on the hospital campus, including the Physicians’ Office Building, Orthopaedics & Pain Management, Neurosurgery & Spine Center, Urology, Cecil B. Highland, Jr. & Barbara B. Highland Cancer Center and Mountaineer Medical Office Building.

 

“Basically, it is driven around the parking lot to see if anyone needs a ride, then comes back to the main entrance for five to 10 minutes before going back out,” Steffich said.

 

The People Mover can be alerted by calling 304-677-8440 from your vehicle and it will arrive for transportation services. The vehicle only operates on the hospital campus and because it is a golf cart, it will not operate if road conditions are too hazardous.

 

“If we would get several inches of snow, it isn’t equipped with tires or the ability to get around in that kind of weather,” Steffich said.

 

All volunteer shifts – three to four hours each – are covered, but some volunteers are taking more than one shift daily, she said. Anyone interested in volunteering to drive can contact Steffich at 681-342-1640.

 

“People do appreciate and love it,” Steffich said. “One couple came in and said how wonderful the service is. We think it’s something that’s going to prove to be very beneficial.”

 

Because the vehicle is battery-powered, there is no cost to fuel it. It will be stored on the hospital campus when not in use, so there is no cost associated with storage.

 

The People Mover was purchased from Moto Electric Vehicles in Atlantic Beach, Fla. It bears a license plate which reads “Babs Mobile” to honor the volunteer who was adamant about the project, Steffich said.