ADAPT shocks FTA Administrator  Activists demand REAL transportation for Memphis citizens Jerry Franklin of the FTA.  Unprepared when Memphians confronted him about FTA enforcement of the ADA. (Memphis, July 9) Jerry Franklin, the Region IV Administrator for the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), came to a Memphis groundbreaking completely uninformed about his own agencies ADA review of the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA). He was shocked by the reception many Memphians gave him, angry that the FTA would come to Memphis for a symbolic celebration but would not enforce FTA regulations that would help Memphis citizens get the transportation they need. ADAPT members asked for Mr. Franklin to talk about enforcement, but the administrator droned on with his prepared comments. ADAPT blew whistles and shook cowbells to drown out the unaware civil servant; but he refused to discuss enforcement. The administrator returned to his seat unheard. Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton  suggested a public form to hear rider's concerns. The trolley extension will require people with disabilities to enter through the back door of the trolley with the assistance of the trolley operator. ADAPT members were most upset; however, that the FTA, who will pay a great deal for the trolley, has failed to demonstrate any ability to enforce their own findings concerning ADA compliance of MATA. A fifty-page FTA report was released last October that detailed the shortcomings of the transportation system for persons with disabilities. Most notably MATA denies service to newly eligible riders yet the FTA either has done nothing to correct this or is powerless to enforce their own findings. The FTA suggested many helpful policy changes yet because the system is poorly managed and has no procedural manual, beneficial recommendations are ignored. The FTA review could be a valuable starting guide to make the paratransit system work, but MATA does not appear have the administrative ability to institute simple changes. Following the groundbreaking Jerry Franklin spoke to Deborah Cunningham of the Memphis Center for Independent Living concerning transportation. Ms. Cunningham told him directly of the inadequacies of MATA. "Send me specifically your comments," said Mr. Franklin. "I will assure you that all the resources of the FTA will be here to address them." ADAPT protestors carried around a banner that said "Trolley Wreck" Representative from the 9th Congressional District Harold Ford Jr. and Memphis Mayor Willie Herenton both suggested a public form to hear rider's concerns.  - Tim Wheat