Bus Riders Union of Austin, Texas | El Sindicato de Pasajeros

After the recent incident regarding a disabled individual with no arms trying to cash a check at a Bank Of America branch in Tampa, Florida you would think Capitol Metro would fully comply with a simple request of Reasonable Accomdation. According to the Bus Operator of the 392 Braker Bus Number #7074 Hispanic Female Driver with long curly black hair who is under Veiola's contractor with Capitol Metro thinks that she doesn't not have to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. It all started at exactly 4:24pm when boarding at the Pavillon Park N Ride on Research Blvd and Oak Knoll. I boarded at the Female Driver became verbally aggressive towards me saying that I could not board this bus, My response was Why? It doesn't say that you are out of service, I heading over to my layover point, Ok was my response but I don't understand why I can't get on well you have to wait 5 minutes because right now I cannot pick up anyone. I perceeded to tell the driver I am disabled I am diabetic I take medication for my conditions and I can not be in the heat that long and I am requesting a "Reasonable Accomdation".

I would think then she would shut up or say fine, but know she preceeded to try to push me out of the bus (she would have if I did not step a foot back) and I explained to her if you touch me I will call the police and have assault charges filed against you. After a simular incident downtown last year I know not to defend myself against Capitol Metro employees it is better to take a beating since if you are poor, minority, and/or disabled the Criminal Justice system won't allow you to defend yourself in Travis County so it is better for them to beat you to a pulp, plus that way you can collect more $$$, hehe.

So I took at seat on the right side of the bus. Rosa Parks took the left seat back in the day, since the ADA provided a better day for the new day I choose the right seat.

She continued to be verbally combative and begain to call security over her headset.

Of course worried about a false arrest and imprisonment I proceeded to contact Capitol Metro's Customer Service line.

She began to rudely back talk and interupt over the phone and so despertly tried to shut in my face and get my attention.

The customer service agent Sandra who I explained my situation over the phone with and I wanted a Capitol Metro Supervisor out here to talk to and her about her behavior and her ineptness to provide reasonable accomation without verbal harrassment, could hear her only a little bit. The dispatcher called her back at 4:31pm and she told the dispatcher I was a liar. She must have worked at JC Penny at Sharpstown Mall in Houston Texas because a female manager called my Grandmother a liar to her face and they ended up shutting the store down less than 1 year later and every time me and my Grandad went to Sharpstown Mall we would pass the closed JC Penny and he would say that is what happens when you call your customers liars. I wish he was still alive to tell him of this incident he would be on the phone right now as I am typing.

Anyways, it was me and 1 other passenger on the bus until we got to Great Hills Park N Ride on Braker and Jollyville where Capitol Metro supervisior supposively would meet me there ended up not meeting me there, afraid of getting harrased by an off duty APD officer and to avoid any conflict of the harrasing bus driver I wanted to stay on the phone until the supervisor meet me there.

Sandra's response was I have other calls in cue I cannot stay on the phone with you until a supervisor arrives.

I am a disabled person who is requesting reasonable accomdation, sir I cannot do that.

Well can I talk to the dispatch or supervisor over the phone I cannot do that they don't have phone numbers to connect you to.

I want to speak to Fred Gilliam.

Can you hold please,

I can let you speak with his secretary.

Hold on,

Sir the secretarys at his office are gone for the day. I can send a email to them.

I am sure he's got a voicemail where I can leave a message.

Sir I am transfering you to Annie who can better assist you. (see you have to mention you want to speak to fred gilliam to get somewhere with this organization- lesson well learned)

Annie took my information at 4:42pm and she stated the Supervisor was intitally going to meet you at Tech Ridge Park N Ride. So I was lied to by Sandra or Theresa I think she said her name was Theresa at first but I asked for her name again at Sandra before she transfered me to Annie.
I told them to meet me at the TGI Friday's bus stop on Great Hills. She asked me if I were in a wheelchair because I have know way of knowing if the van they are sending out has a wheelchair lift, No I replied but my right foot is in pain now and then from a recent slip and fall injury. Well I am going to contact them and I will call you back to let them know they will be on their way. Sure enough 30 minutes later a Veoila Supervisor showed up and took my complaint and drove me to Home Depot with No Problems.

Kudos to the Supervisor who drove me right in front of the Home Depot. You are recognized for providing Reasonable Accomdation, however you would not be needed if the driver on 392 would follow the law.

Policies can be changed to accomadate individuals with disabilites UNLESS they can prove un-due hardship. I don't see providing both driver and disabled passenger air conditiong undue hardship and I am sure federal and state courts would agree with me.

I know there is a sign in the middle of the Pavillion Park N Ride where passengers unless they have Clark Gable vison says Layover Point No passengers picked up of dropped off at this point. Even if it is a federal law which it is not, ADA would overide it because if it didn't separate but equal would still be on the books.

Feel free to research any laws or reason to this policy if it is policy and see where the Americans with Disabilites Act comes to play.

****BOTTOM LINE********

All I wanted to do is get on the bus from the Balcones Post Office walking a foot ball field to the Pavillon Park N Ride where some shade existed catch the 392 Eastbound to head to the Home Depot on Burnet Road to exchange an air filter, I wanted a seat on the bus with air conditioning without being harrased so what if you are laying over for 5 minutes what purpose does that serve? Masturbation? C'mon policys that break the ADA should be revised such is the spill proof container policy I don't see Cap Metro paying the peoples that ride the bus for aluminum coffee cups. VIA allows it unless the bus is overcrowded.

I guess a lawsuit will be defentally in the works if Capitol Metro arrogantly defies ADA, uses fraud and deception through its advertising, red lines bus routes such as East Austin to UT no connections to campus, breaches contract by unlawfully charging the fares for disabled passengers, and making book stew (accounting fraud)