[nagdu] Buses

[Marilyn tucci]

Hi Everyone,
I just read the email about putting the dog on a tie down on the bus. I 
would not do that. the dog should be with you at all times.
Since my guide dog was hurt on a para transit bus and had surgery last 
Dec. I have advocated for mats to be on all our Para transit buses and 
they are. I have also advocated for anyone who needs to use the lift 
just to ask the driver  as I was questioned by a few drivers who gave me 
a hard time using the lift with Anna. The drivers are no longer allowed 
to ask , they just put the lift down. I also explained why on the lift 
the mat should be used so the dogs nails don't get caught in the holes 
on the lift. Also every month groups of us go to our legislative 
hearings on transportation. We have been requesting extending evening 
hours and full Sunday service. the Legislators are tired of seeing us . 
I missed this past Monday's hearing because I went to visit a friend in 
the hospital who is also a guide dog user. Our county keeps passing the 
buck to our state senators. I believe if you want change you must 
address the problems.
To the person who didn't want to tie the dog sorry I forgot your name 
but is the tie down on the metal where they would secure the wheel 
chairs? We have some newer buses called the 1500 series and last 
Wednesday I was on one. there was a passenger in the front seat on my 
right so the driver asked me to sit behind him. The seat was so close to 
the wall dividing the seat with the drivers seat there was no room for 
Anna to lay at my feet . Either my feet would have to be in the isle or 
the dog . The bus driver said the second seat behind the passenger had 
more room Yes it did . I could have fit two dogs at my feet. I  have 
also taken notice that there are metal strips in the isles now for wheel 
chair users on the newer buses. We are still trying to find out if our 
county has a compliance officer . Some say yes , others say no.
The next morning I sent an email to the head of the county for 
transportation . He played like in his email back to me he didn't 
understand what I was talking about. My second email to him was very 
explicit and when I spoke to my director at work he said he was able to 
understand the first email that I explained asking him if they could 
move the seat back a few feet so people have leg room and if you have a 
guide dog they can sit at your feet.
Advocating is the key for system change.
Marilyn and Anna