[nagdu] transportation of heck

[Lyn Gwizdak]

Hey Bibi,
Sounds like some of the downtown San Diego bus stops.  This is a huge 
problem when there is no specific bus bay at the station with a sign that 
says the route number.  It's like that at the San Diego State stop - 
upstairs with the several buses that come there and there's no special spot 
for each bus route.  At our Old Town Transit stop, there's poles with the 
route numbers for each bus and you just go to where the bus will come in. 
they even have Braille on the pole so the blind can read the route number.

The drivers claim that they don't see us and they just pull around the bus 
ahead of it like in your case.  We've had drivers who don't want a guide or 
service dog or a wheelchair user on because it takes time to tie down the 
wheelchair.  Or they don't like dogs.  Or they don't like disabled people. 
Tough you-know-what! (fill in your favorite expletive!)  Unfortunately, the 
guy who used to tell us about this problem has died.

Keep a log of when, where, direction of travel, and route and even vehicle 
number if you can get it.  If the dispatcher is rude, I'd find out who is 
above them.  Here the buses are NOT supposed to just go around other buses. 
Here, for the MTS, if I get no satisfaction with Transit, I gop to the 
Transit Board - I know one of the members!

Thiose drivers whould be fired here.  Their job is to drive the bus and call 
out the main and transfer points along the route.  their job, under ADA 
rules, is to call out any stop a blind or disabled person asks for.  Their 
job is to pick up all passengers unless they are drunk and agressive, or 
whatever would be a danger to the driver or passengers.  If the drivers 
don't like it, well, they can find another job! You did the right thing and 
keep it up!  This kind of crap won't stop unless we all demand our rights 
and for the bus drivers to obey the ADA rules.

Lyn and Landon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Criminal Justice Major" <orleans24 at comcast.net>
To: <Undisclosed-Recipient:;>
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2012 12:41 PM
Subject: [nagdu] transportation of heck


> Hi, all,
> If you'd rather not read this, then feel free to delete and move on.
> Can't remember what lists or two that access trouble as far as taxi cabs 
> goes, but I'm experiencing some of my own with RTD (Regional 
> Transportation District).
> Two weeks ago while Odie and I were waiting at a bus stop on 15th in 
> between Cleveland place and Court Place here in downtown Denver, Colorado, 
> a 15 limited bus pulled up and the driver announced her bus number.
> I told her thank you that I was waiting for the route0 bus.
> She let me knot the other bus I needed was behind her, so Odie and I 
> started heading in that general direction.
> As we began too approach the other bus, the driver just took off on us.
> Despite the 15L bus driver blaring her horn, the 0 bus kept on going.
> She did help me call it in and despite her efforts, the dispatcher was 
> very rude and inconsiderate.
> When I mean rude and inconsiderate, the individual told the bus driver I 
> shouldn't have gotten on her bus that I could have waited until the next 
> route0 bus.
> I myself could easily handle walking two blocks home, but had to consider 
> Odie's feelings as it was hot that day and the heat was waring both of us 
> out.
> The bus driver again contacted dispatch and she was able to get a street 
> supervisor out to help transport Odie and I home.
> Last Saturday, week before the 21st of April, I ended up using 
> Accessaride, our Door to Door Paratransit as it was rainy and cold.
> two days ago, I experienced the same thing with a route0 bus again, but 
> this time, along 18th in between Stout and Champa.
> Thankfully when the bus rolled by without stopping, a passer by told me 
> what route it was.
> I immediately called RTD and reported the incident and they contact the 
> next route0 bus driver and informed him to pick Odie and I up.
> This morning was round number three.
> I was waiting for the number32 bus and the 15L came first.
> Before Odie and I had a chance to walk down to snag the 32 bus after I was 
> told by the bus driver and a passenger that it was behind the 15L, the 32 
> bus went around and took off.
> Again, I had to notify RTD on what happpened.
> I'm not sure if the incidents involving the route0 may have something to 
> do with me having a working dog or not and I did go down to the RTD 
> Administration office to find out who I could speak with and if there 
> would be an ADA Committee that would help me out with the on-going 
> problem.
> I know there has been incidents off and on where other people with 
> guide/assistance dogs have been left behind and one particular story I did 
> hear from a First Transit driver ten years ago back in 2001 shocked me BIG 
> TIME!!!
> A route40 driver said to me how there was a First Transit Driver who 
> wouldn't pick up a blind individual or other ADA passengers that happen to 
> have a large dog.
> That driver was immediately fired and let go right on the spot.
> I figure I may have taken the right approach to this problem, but on the 
> other side of the coin, I feel as if I may be going too far.
> Well,enough from me for now, so shall crawl back under my hiding rock.
> Bibi, husband Dale and son Odie
> medical alert service dog
> the happy spirited bounty labra wolf
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