The transportation system in Buffalo, New York is inaccessible for many individuals, particularly those with disabilities. Public transportation options, such as buses and trains, have limited routes and schedules, making it difficult for people to travel to certain areas of the city. The physical infrastructure of the transportation system itself is not accommodating to those with disabilities or mobility issues. Many stations and stops lack wheelchair accessibility, and the buses and trains often do not have adequate seating or space for passengers with disabilities. The lack of accessibility in Buffalo's transportation system creates significant barriers for people trying to access education, employment, healthcare, other essential services, and live independently. The current services Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) provides is an injustice to Buffalo’s disabled seniors, veterans and to the disability community as a whole.
The Buffalo Niagara region does have paratransit services available for eligible riders. The NFTA does provide Accessible Transportation Services (ATS) through its Paratransit Access Line(PAL) for individuals with disabilities who are unable to use the fixed-route bus and rail system. To use PAL, individuals must apply for eligibility and be certified by the NFTA. While the PAL service provided by the NFTA does offer accessible transportation for eligible riders as a requirement of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the service only does so if individuals are within three-quarters of a mile on either side of a bus-metro route or station and for a fare of $4 each way. This restriction, the process for ordering PAL service, the scheduling system, long wait times, and unreliability creates challenges for individuals in terms of service coverage.
A.R.I.S.E. Committee Members and local disabilities rights advocates have continued to organize and demand equitable and accessible transportation options for all individuals with disabilities by campaigning for the expansions of paratransit services and the passing of Stephanie's Bill (S3144/A574) in New York State. The bill which is named after Stephanie Speaker, an outspoken advocate of paratransit access that serves the needs of Western New York’s disability community, would require accessible buses be made available within a three miles from any bus line and includes a budget ask for $20 million to do pilot testing on paratransit expansion.
While disability rights advocates have asked for a tangible commitment of funding from the state to expand the range of paratransit access, the New York State Legislature instead requested that the NFTA conduct a review of its Paratransit Access Line, evaluate the demand, the costs and the feasibility of expanding service beyond its current service area. $750,000 was committed to studying the Paratransit Access Line. The NFTA released their PAL Expansion Analysis in December 2024 based on their Paratransit Expansion study that was released in September 2024.
The NFTA-Metro Paratransit Expansion Study provided an analysis of the costs and feasibility of potential service area expansion and a consultant team provided the NFTA with specific recommendations to improve PAL services. Among the recommendations were updating to its scheduling software and addressing service inefficiencies. Additionally, the NFTA announced that it is aiming to consolidate its core service area while standardizing service hours. Instead of expanding the service area beyond three-quarters of a mile radius, the NFTA plans to focus on standardizing service with fixed hours, from 4:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. on weekdays and 5:30 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. on weekends and holidays. With an aging fleet of vehicles and open driver positions, the analysis details the additional capacity and resources needed to expand PAL services.
Despite the persistent and unresting efforts of disability advocating for an expanded Paratransit Access Line to meet their transportation needs, many barrier remain. However they continue to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities to have equitable access to transportation. Advocates are pushing for a more inclusive solution that doesn't just tweak existing systems, but fundamentally addresses the systemic barriers that limit access to mobility for many disabled individuals. Expanding the PAL service area, improving the scheduling system, reducing wait times, and ensuring reliable transportation are all crucial steps toward a truly accessible and equitable public transit system.
The continued advocacy for Stephanie’s Bill and other legislative actions is crucial in ensuring that Buffalo’s disabled community has the same opportunity to live independently, access vital services, and participate fully in society. These efforts are not just about transportation, but about creating a more inclusive, accessible, and just city for everyone. The ultimate goal is to create a transportation system that provides dignity and independence for all residents, ensuring that people with disabilities are not left behind in a rapidly evolving urban landscape. Until these critical needs are met, advocates will continue to fight for a public transportation system that works for all.
Yorumlar