[nagdu] transportation of heck

[Steven Johnson]

Bibi,
A couple of observations and suggestions here.  First, as soon as an
incident like this happens, immediately call the Transit utility and request
they pull the tapes.  I am assuming that your transit buses have video
systems on them, correct?  Secondly, does the bus you are exiting, request a
transfer, or notify the other bus that they have a transfer passenger for
them?  Does your Transit system have an ADA Advisory or similar committee or
an appointed ADA Coordinator as this is one person I would suggest you
request to speak to directly.  My guess is that they do as all
municipalities with more than 50 staff, are required to have an ADA
coordinator per ADA Title II.  If over time, you are not getting
satisfactory responses from them, contact the Civil Rights section within
the FTA.  

Regards,
Steve




-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Criminal Justice Major
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2012 2:41 PM
To: Undisclosed-Recipient:;
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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