Inclusion Daily Express -- Council Says Many NYC Transit Woes Could Be Cheap, Quick To Fix

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Council Says Many NYC Transit Woes Could Be Cheap, Quick To Fix
By Dave Reynolds, Inclusion Daily Express
January 16, 2008

NEW YORK, NEW YORK--Even though New York City's transportation systems leave much to be desired for riders with disabilities, many of the fixes could be quick and inexpensive.

Last Sunday, the City Council released a report based on information gathered last spring from 11 focus groups, which included a total of 83 people with disabilities. The 84-page report found that broken elevators at subway and rail stations and wheelchair lifts on buses continue to be major problems. Ninety percent of subway stations are still not accessible. Some riders still have to wait long periods of time for a bus with a working lift.

Many complaints, however, had to do with negative attitudes of drivers and transit workers.

The Council recommended that transit officials do such things as train employees on how to interact with riders that have disabilities; provide passengers with accurate and up-to-date information about delayed vehicles; have transit workers inspect buses every day to make sure wheelchair lifts and other accessibility components are working properly before buses leave the depots; and "improve public outreach to educate riders about designated seating on buses and subways and encourage able-bodied passengers to yield their seats to disabled passengers."

"Most of the recommendations are common-sense steps than can be implemented almost immediately," Councilman Eric Gioia, chair of the Oversight and Investigations Committee, told the Daily News.

Michael Harris, of the Disabled Rider Coalition, commented: "Disabled people pay fares. We deserve fair treatment."

Related:
"Better Transit for City’s Disabled Is Urged (New York Times)
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/14/nyregion/14disabled.html
"Moving Forward: A Roadmap to Improving Transportation for New York City's Disabled Population" (Council of the City of New York)
http://council.nyc.gov/html/pr/report/PWD_FULL_REPORT.doc

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