Chronology of the MATAplus Rider's Guide

November 1997

Barrier Free makes a new MATA Customer Guide a priority

May 4, 1998

Paratransit Consultant's Report on MATAplus, acquired through a Freedom of Information Act request, states the need of a Rider's Guide.

October 27, 1998

Paratransit Consultant provides a MATAplus Rider's Guide draft to MATA executive staff.

January 27, 1999

William Hudson, President and General Manager of MATA writes the Specialized Transportation Advisory Committee (STAC) Chair: "After your review and comments, we are ready to go to the printer."

March 10, 1999

Willie Lewis, MATA ADA Compliance Officer, writes the STAC Chair: "...the Rider's Guide has been submitted to our Marketing department for review and publishing. I have also provided the Marketing department with all of the STAC recommendations."

June 16, 1999

MATA holds a public hearing on the content of the Rider's Guide draft that receives overwhelming support. MATA promises to publish the Rider's Guide before Oct. 1^st.

September 15, 1999

MATA presents the STAC with a second draft of the Rider's Guide and gives them only three days to recommend changes. MATA Director of Marketing, Lawson Albritton pledges that MATA will publish the Rider's Guide the week of the promised Oct. 1 ^st goal.

September 17, 1999

STAC meets the deadline, suggesting 30 changes.

October 1, 1999

MATA was to have the Rider's Guide published in advance of this date. MATA administration fails to publish the promised Rider's Guide. MATA executive staff makes no public apology for their inability to the most basic prerequisites of their job.

January 10, 2000

William Hudson again promises the publication of the Rider's Guide "that will be mailed to all participants by the end of January."

July 2000

Suddenly MATA produces a third draft of the Rider's Guide that does not include any review by STAC or the disability community. The Rider's Guide is filled with contradictions, poorly worded sections, and inaccuracies that could have easily been avoided.