U.S. to mandate bus service for disabled

By The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The government announced plans yesterday to require that all federally aided bus systems buy only vehicles that are accessible to the disabled and provide special door-to-door transit for those who can’t make it to bus stops.

Requiring both access and special services for all systems is expected to “increase significantly the amount and quality of service available to persons with disabilities,” said a Transportation Department announcement.

In Denver, all buses owned by the Regional Transportation District are equipped with wheelchair lifts, and the district also provides a door-to-door service for handicapped riders.

Groups representing the handicapped praised the Washington announcement and a transit industry spokesman said bus companies are prepared for it.

The proposed rule, expected to become final in September after a period for public comment, would match some of the requirements of legislation pending in Congress and meet the key transportation demands of disabled-rights activists.

More than 150 people were arrested in two incidents last week during demonstrations in Washington for the Americans With Disabilities Act.

“The Bush administration is committed to policies that will ensure that people with disabilities have the opportunities available to other persons to use our mass transit system,” said Transportation Secretary Samuel Skinner.

Announcement of the proposed rule met the requirements of a Philadelphia federal court order that required the department to examine and change existing regulations but did not mandate what the changes should be. The order came in a suit by more than a dozen groups representing the handicapped.

Created on

Friday 12 July 2013

Posted on

Friday 3 July 2015

Tags

accessible transit, ADA, court, DOT Secretary Skinner, rules, wheelchair lifts

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