Federal Law Violations Angers Riders with Disabilities

Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), Rochester, New York's public transportation authority, has a long history of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act, and an unwillingness to work with disability rights activists to resolve problems.

The Issues

There are three major issues that arouse our ire: Bus pass-ups on the fixed-route system, trip denials on the para-transit system, and the general attitude of disrespect and disdain for people with disabilities exhibited by many bus operators and RGRTA upper management.

Fixed-route Bus Problems

Customers who use wheelchairs frequently complain of being passed up by Rochester Transportation Service (RTS) fixed-route bus drivers who do not want to take the time to operate the ramp or lift. That is a violation of the ADA. Sometimes, wheelchair-using passengers are told that the lift or ramp did not work, when, in fact, it does.

Bus ramps can be operated manually, but when that is pointed out, drivers give other excuses, such as the ramp is "stuck", or is "too heavy". According to RTS policy, bus lifts and ramps are to be checked before leaving the garage.

I experienced this so frequently that I began keeping a log of each incident, and encouraged others who used wheelchairs to do the same. At one point, during a three-month period, there were over 220 incidences of bus pass-ups and actual or excuses of broken lifts that happened to me, alone! The most recent incidents occurred Tuesday, April 13, 2010, when I was passed up while trying to go home after work. Ten minutes later, another bus tried to pass me up, but I managed to get the driver to stop. Upon opening the door, I was told that the ramp was stuck. The driver refused to engage the manual override, angrily insisting that the ramp was stuck.

Problems with Para-transit Services

Users of Lift Line, RGRTA's para-transit service, face trip denials even when calling three days in advance. "It's frustrating when you're trying to plan ahead and are told that there are no rides available, or you're forced to accept a ride three hours before an appointment because that is all that they have", explained Debbi Duminuco, a Lift Line customer, and co-chair of the Transportation Action Group whose goal is to make public transit better for everyone. "That is a violation of the ADA".

General attitude at RGRTA

Especially galling to these riders is the fact that there have been efforts to work with RGRTA over the years, but to no avail. "We have tried everything - going to the town hall meetings, board meetings, and writing letters, but nothing has worked," says Terrie Lincoln, a Lift Line user, and Systems Advocate with the Regional Center for Independent Living. "To me, it is clear that they have no regard for their customers with disabilities. They want us to shut up and go away".

Ms. Lincoln is correct. In my capacity as Systems Advocate with the Center for Disability Rights, and a member of the Bus Fareness Coalition*, I have attempted to work with RGRTA to resolve the issues faced by riders with disabilities, but have been met with disbelief, outright rudeness, and personal attacks.

After several years of this treatment, it was decided that enough was enough, and a protest was organized.

Sources:

Personal Experience

Debbi Duminuco, Personal Interview. April 12, 2010.

Terrie Lincoln, Personal Interview. April 12, 2010.

*The word "fareness" is a combination of two words - fare, as in bus fare, and fairness. The Bus Fareness Coalition adopted this name to indicate that its major priorities are bus fare reform, and fair treatment of all passengers by RGRTA.