Thousands of disabled and/or elderly New Yorkers rely on para-transit to get around, the strike by drivers of 4 companies providing vans for Access-a-Ride. The strike is especially critical for patients who use the service to and from dialysis centers, and chemotherapy treatments. And terribly inconvenienced are wheelchair users, who need a lift to get into a vehicle, and doubly for riders from the outer boroughs who must go into Manhattan. Most subway stations are not accessible. But, as I’ve learned, there are even Manhattanites who can’t use the lifts on the buses because their wheelchairs are oversized. There are also elderly or disabled citizens who have no other way to go to and from work every day.

Four of the eight companies that service NYC paratransit, are operating however. And a state mediator will be stepping in this week to speed up negotiations. Those clients of Access-a-Ride who can take buses, subways, and taxis, have been encouraged to do just that during this strike period. So, it has all been functioning on a contingency basis with less vans and drivers. But I hope the MTA and the Access-a-Ride drivers come to an agreement this week.

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