To the editor:

We don’t drive – no licenses. We frequently use the T to and from work and social activities. One of us is a wheelchair user, but the T-Lift is often filled with people unable to ride fixed routes and because we sometimes like to do things spontaneously, we prefer to use the fixed-route buses.

Recently, we encountered a major problem. The drivers of the routes we use most often seem to resent the extra time and effort it takes to securely tie down the wheelchair. We’ve heard “this is my last trip” or “the tie-downs are broken.” Today, the driver made no excuse, just assumed the wheelchair user would transfer to a seat. A power wheelchair is a very heavy piece of equipment – it needs to be tied down whether someone is in it or not, for the safety of other passengers if an accident occurs.

On four occasions we have been “passed” by even though we were standing at designated bus stops. The final straw was when a driver stopped for us, opened the door, got on the radio and said, “I have a (expletive) 1080” (code for wheelchair) and then threw the radio handset against the windshield. Fortunately, the bus was empty but this was witnessed by a friend who accompanied us to the bus stop.

Lawrence needs a public transportation system, and drivers need to understand all buses must be ADA-compliant, and that includes picking up passengers who use wheelchairs or other types of mobility implements.

Rebecca Huffman

and Zoanne Hough,

Lawrence