I’m a Real Change vendor. I get around in a wheelchair. My wheelchair and I — and previously my late service dog Laya — get around by mass transportation, usually on a Metro bus. That is, when we can get on the bus.
It happens maybe two or three times a week. The driver will tell me the bus is too crowded to let me on, and just close the doors and drive off. I had a driver last week just turn around to his passengers and say, “Hey, does anybody want to move?” Nobody spoke up, so he closed the doors and drove off, too.
The rules are pretty clear — they’re even posted on signs on every Metro bus. The seats up near the driver are priority seating for seniors and those of us with handicaps. It’s true not every handicap is visible, so some people in those seats are entitled to stay there. But the question is not, “Do you want to move?” The question is, “Should you move?” And from where I sit, if you’re able to stand, if a person in a wheelchair is asking to ride the bus, you should move.
A couple of people have pointed out to me that I’m a good-sized guy, in a good-sized chair with a big dog. This is all true. But we fit in the assigned space. You should see the way drivers respond to Laya after they’ve helped anchor me in, and I say, “OK, Laya,” and she just turns and backs in, as smooth as the best semi driver. I even had one driver say he wished his passengers were that obedient and well-mannered.
If people don’t move, then the driver closes the doors and drives away, leaving me in my wheelchair to wait for the next bus, or maybe the one after that. Even if I’m waiting in the rain, or the heat, or other conditions that aren’t good to be out in for too long. I’ve spent more than 20 minutes waiting in the rain, and it’s happened more than once.
If you’re occupying one of those priority seats, and you see someone in a wheelchair at the next stop, could you just go ahead and volunteer to get up?
Metro policy requires that drivers accommodate seniors, people with disabilities and people traveling with children and a stroller for those spots.
According to Metro, that drivers are supposed to call Metro control center to help assist people to get to their destination when there’s not room.
I’m not complaining about all Metro bus drivers. A lot of them are great, and most of them are at least decent to me. Maybe it’s inconvenient to accommodate a guy in a wheelchair — it delays the bus, and maybe delays you in getting wherever you’re going — but those of us in wheelchairs have the same rights to ride the bus as you do. If you’re occupying one of those priority seats, and you see someone in a wheelchair at the next stop, could you just go ahead and volunteer to get up?
It’s the right thing to do.
Dave Williams is a Real Change vendor. Check out the full July 18 - July 24 issue.
Real Change is a non-profit organization advocating for economic, social and racial justice. Since 1994 our award-winning weekly newspaper has provided an immediate employment opportunity for people who are homeless and low income. Learn more about Real Change.