Why UTS
- State certified providers for Non-Medical Transportation Services
- More than 25 years of Ohio Department of Developmentally Disabled transportation experience in Butler, Hamilton, Warren, Montgomery, Clinton, Clermont, Franklin, Fairfield and Preble Counties in Ohio
- 24/7 dispatchers and customer service with cutting edge technology GPS, custom scheduling software for timely and dependable service
- Superior, experienced drivers with training and continuing education programs
About Us
UTS is a state of the art company that cares about the people we serve. We also invest and are involved in the communities we serve. Universal Transportation Systems LLC dba UTS is an Ohio Limited Liability Company that is owned by Geoff Kuzio
We are highly regarded by the school districts, agencies, and corporations we serve in Southwest and Central Ohio. We provide services in nine counties including Butler, Hamilton, Warren, Clinton, Clermont, and Preble, Montgomery, Franklin, Ohio.
We have experience in all transportation system types, including adults and students with special needs, on-demand service for NET, PRS and workforce programs and transit systems, making UTS uniquely qualified to meets the needs of a diverse population.
We train each driver to the highest standards. Exceeding the requirements set by Ohio Pupil Transportation, the Ohio Revised and Administrative Code, as well as the Federal mandate for Drug & Alcohol programs. Any client can be rest assured that all drivers are screened, trained and monitored to meet these high standards.
Our company transports an average of 3,500 clients per day in over 250 Company owned vehicles. This service always maintains a high level of reliability, on-time performance, while exhibiting particular sensitivities to our clients’ physical and special needs. We are committed to an exemplary level of safety.
Our attention to maintenance is second to none! Our entire fleet is inspected daily. We feel the best policy is an intensive preventive maintenance effort to avoid problems before they develop.
Staff
Our Staff is Second to None
Our team of Drivers, Call Center Specialists, Schedulers, Dispatchers, Trainers and Office Staff are committed to delivering the highest level of safety, reliability, and customer service. Our dedicated HR and Training Center provides best in class training and certifications so our clients and their families can rest assured that they are in good hands. UTS believes in promoting from within and supports a culture of building career opportunities. The current President of UTS started as a driver!
Staff Members

Geoff Kuzio
CEO

Carolyn Burer
President

Mike Cronin
CFO

Cetress Coston
Safety and Fleet Director

Wanda Price
School Department Director
Wanda really enjoys assisting the many school districts and parents with safe transportation for students. Over the years she has seen many successes in the lives of the students who have grown into productive positions in life as an adult. Wanda graduated from Badin High School and lives in Fairfield with her husband. Wanda is a proud mother of 3 children and 3 wonderful grandchildren.

Chris Hudak
CTO

Sue Burns
Human Resource Manager

Cathy Koop
Director of Human Resources
When Cathy is not working, she enjoys volunteering, and is an avid Cincinnati Bengals fan (season ticket holder since the early 80’s). She lives in Northern Kentucky with her husband Tom and their two grown children.

Tom Nicolaus
Vice President of Operations
Tom, his wife Lisa and his 2 children, Kayleigh (13) and Tripp (10) live in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky.
Training and Certifications
Driver Training and Requirements:
UTS has a dedicated Training Center with the experience and scale to ensure all drivers are trained to the highest standards and are in compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations.
We have a proven curriculum designed by our Training Manager, Darrell Hunter and the Director of Safety, Rusty Haid that ensures all UTS staff members are thoroughly trained.
Hiring and screening the right candidates is the cornerstone of recruiting and training great employees. UTS relies on a stringent screening policy and hiring practices that include, strong driving record underwriting, full drug and alcohol testing programs with a zero-tolerance approach. We are a Web Check provider and perform fingerprinting for local and federal background investigations, perform an annual T-8 or ODOT physical, combined with positive reinforcement of successful performance including a bonus programs for meeting and exceeding Service Level Agreements (SLA’s)
State and Federal governments establish driver qualifications and standards. UTS far exceeds the set standards through a stringent hiring, training, evaluation and advancement program.
Driver required certification for all UTS drivers include:
- FBI/ BCI Background Check Renewed every year
- Red Cross First Aid Certification Renewed every 2 years
- Red Cross CPR Certification Renewed every 2 years
- Medicaid Fraud, Waste & Abuse training Renewed every year
- Elderly Services Drive Certification Renewed every 3 years
- Blood Borne Pathogens Training Renewed every year
- GSC Defensive Driving Certification Renewed every 3 years
- Ohio Dept of Education Preservice Training Renewed every 6 years
- Drug & Alcohol Abuse Training Renewed every year
- DODD Major Unusual Incidents Training Renewed every year
- Clean Motor Vehicle Record Renewed every year
- T-8 Physical with Drug and Alcohol Screening Renewed every year
UTS requires an annual BCI and driving record from the Bureau of Motor Vehicle. In addition:
- Driver’s fingerprints are screened by the FBI.
- Driver’s identity is screened by Abuser Registry, Nurse Aide Registry, Sex/Child Offender, Systems for Award Management, and Incarcerated Offenders.
- Drivers are required to pass pre-employment drug and alcohol screening, post-accident and must participate in Random Drug Screening
Driver Training Curriculum:
Formal driver training is essential for the safety of our clients, and UTS takes pride in our ability to attract and retain qualified drivers and ensure their appropriate training.
UTS Driver Training includes a 55-hour training curriculum, annual refresher training, and 4 hours of required annual safety meetings. Our training for new drivers includes 20 hours of classroom training and 35 hours of On-The-Road training. This includes the ADA approved Drive Training to ensure client sensitivity and communication.
Quality and Safety
At UTS, We Believe in Leaving Nothing to Chance
UTS’ motto is “SAFETY, SAFETY, SAFETY.” Drivers receive ongoing instruction on safety rules and regulations, and there is a zero tolerance policy in place for anyone choosing to not follow these policies and procedures. Our vans are equipped with in cab video cameras, GPS monitoring, two-way radios and emergency equipment, and our drivers perform daily pre-trip inspections to ensure our vehicles are operating at 100% UTS has a 24 hour safety team led by safety director, Cetress Coston. Her team ensures a proactive quality control program to ensure 100% compliance with internal and customer requirements. This program includes driver coaching, training, and safety programs. Every aspect of our quality assurance program is designed to ensure we exceed our customers’ expectations.
Vehicles
Maintained and Dependable
UTS prides itself on offering clean, dependable vehicles. We are committed to preventive maintenance and pass rigorous annual local, state and federal inspections in which we consistently exceed standards. Understanding the needs of our client base means offering vehicles that accommodate their physical limitations. With more than 250 vehicles in operation, clients can expect a worry-free ride.

40 Toyota Prius

10 Ford Extended Vans

150 Dodge Caravans

30 Ford Wheel Chair Vans
