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From: Tim Wheat
Date: 2/13/2002
Time: 9:18:05 AM
Remote Name: 64.192.116.157
I made a trip today on route 2 inbound, bus 829 at around 2:30 pm. This bus is not scheduled to be accessible, however, it is a new NOVA bus with the blue universal access symbol clearly on the side with telescoping style of ramp.
The driver had great difficulty deploying the ramp and getting the bus to kneel. The road supervisor that responded to the operator’s call for assistance, chastised the driver for stopping to pick up a rider in a wheelchair because he is not designated to be an accessible bus.
Hearing this reprimand from the supervisor made me concerned about what guidance operators have about stopping for people with disabilities. The direct implication is that the operator should not have stopped even though the bus is clearly intended to be accessible.
Furthermore, MATA has a responsibility to keep accessible equipment in working condition and that all vehicles purchased since 1992 are accessible and usable to people with disabilities. MATA cannot use the limited accessibility of the fixed-route bus system as an excuse not to maintain the buses.