For Immediate Release

July 27, 2001
For more information, contact:
Tim Wheat (901) 726-6404

Representative Ford calls for a public forum on Memphis paratransit
Arthur Lopez of the FTA to hear riders with disabilities concerns

(MEMPHIS) Tennessee Representative from the ninth district, Harold Ford Jr., will hold a public forum to facilitate a productive discussion between MATA executives and MATAplus riders. The Congressman will bring Arthur Lopez, Director of the Federal Transit Authority Office of Civil Rights, to the August 7th hearing that will be held at 167 North Mid-America Mall at 10:30 a.m.

ADAPT activists confronted the FTA Regional Director about civil rights enforcement this past July 9th at a groundbreaking ceremony for the Medical Region Trolley Extension. Both Mayor Herenton and Rep. Ford, who were at the event, suggested a discussion on the issues of riders with disabilities.

Donald Alford from the Atlanta Regional office will join Mr. Lopez for the public hearing. Riders have expressed frustration at gaining enforcement from the FTA following observations of the paratransit system that showed deficiencies in service and procedure.

Other concerns of the ADAPT members are the difficulty for new MATAplus riders to get service, a poorly produced Rider's Guide, lack of MATA policies and procedures and the accessibility of the various modes of transit used by MATA and MATAplus.

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