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(Memphis) MATAplus, the Memphis paratransit system, continues to violate the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) by not providing for an equal number of routine and on-demand riders. The Memphis Center for Independent Living has started a two-week survey of riders on MATAplus to determine how this impacts the service provided by the paratransit system. The survey began on April 1, and will end on April 15, 1997.
Currently, MATAplus operates without providing any evaluation of service and no longer is required to report compliance with the ADA. "There is no focus on service," said Deborah Cunningham, the director of The Memphis Center for Independent Living, and a MATAplus user, "however, we feel the first step should be to comply with the ADA."
Paratransit systems are federally mandated to "go along-side" public transit to provide similar service to people with disabilities. Paratransit riders must undergo a lengthy certification process to be eligible to use the system. Paratransit systems are required to mirror the routes and time constraints of the main-line bus system.
Chronic scheduling and communication problems by MATAplus, have frustrated employers attempting to get their employees to work and infuriated users needing transportation. "The whole problem is management," said Betty Anderson, the president of Barrier Free Memphis, an organization supporting total accessibility for all citizens, "more busses and more drivers will not make any difference." Promises of new software and a massive recertification process, however, have been as hollow as the promises of new busses.
With the large number of complaints about MATAplus, The Memphis Center for Independent Living was surprised to find out that no one from the MATAplus staff, MATA, the MATA board of Directors, or the Mayor, required any type of evaluation. At the most recent Barrier Free Memphis meeting, William Hudson, President and General Manager of MATA, reacting to complaints, suggested that MATAplus was providing quality service to more people than it was alienating. The MCIL survey is a step to determine what the level of quality is now, and hopefully a catalyst to compel MATAplus to evaluate service in the future.
Betty Anderson: 365-1979 (day) 743-0224 (home)
Deborah Cunningham: 726-6404
The Memphis Center for Independent Living
The Memphis Center for Independent Living
1633 Madison Avenue,
Memphis, TN 38104
(901) 726-6404 v/tty (901) 726-6521 fax
mcil@mcil.org
MCIL is a United Way of the Mid-South member Agency
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