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(Memphis, Oct. 1) Memphis ADAPT will protest MATA officials celebrating the opening of the new trolley route while neglecting transportation for all Memphians. ADAPT wants to ensure that the real transportation needs of Memphis are not sacrificed for a tourist "show-piece".
MATA has continually failed to make good on their promises to MATAplus riders. They were to have 28 new low-floor vehicles on the road yesterday. MATA has promised 39 new low-floor fixed route buses, and new software by the end of this year. Citizens are tired of the hollow assurances and are demanding honesty of their public officials.
The MATA ADA Paratransit Plan for Memphis was developed in 1992 as a five year plan to phase-in the equal accessibility standards guaranteed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). MATA failed to accomplish a single goal of the plan. Memphians were forced to sue to get MATA management to begin to comply with the law. MATA officials however, continue to break their promises to Memphians.
The ADA is civil rights legislation that guarantees equal treatment to all Americans. Everyone should have the choice to ride the bus. The ADA does not require paratransit, on the contrary, paratransit is to provide similar service to the fixed route bus system where it is not accessible. The best way to fix the problems of paratransit is to have an accessible community, buses and trolleys that all citizens can use.
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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