El Paso Times 2-16-89

Editorials

[Headline] Court decision right

The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruling requiring wheelchair lifts on all new public buses has long been needed. The tragedy is that it takes court rulings to force many public operations to provide for the disabled.

For once, El Paso is ahead of the order. According to bus system officials, all buses on order will have the lifts, which add about $15,000 to a bus’ price. An average bus costs about $200,000.

El Paso's attempts at meeting needs for the disabled — separate minivans and buses — have been far from adequate. Reservations had to be made at least a day in advance and buses often only could be used for the basic necessities, such as trips for food and to the doctor. For a long time, evening rides were not available. People in wheelchairs had to depend on friends to get to a movie, theater or any kind of recreation. And too often, that meant no pleasure trips at all.

Credit tor this recent court win goes to the Americans Disabled For Accessible Public Transportation, who filed the class-action lawsuit. El Paso has an active chapter of ADAPT. Its members have not been shy in pointing out barriers.

Monday's court victory is an important step in eliminating one of those barriers.

Created on

Friday 12 July 2013

Posted on

Wednesday 22 July 2015

Tags

24 hour advanced reservation, 3rd US Circuit Court of Appeals, ADAPT, buses, El Paso, type of trip, wheelchair lifts

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