On July 26, 2016 I was driving to work and had a stroke while driving on the freeway, that was the last time I drove a car. Now public transportation is how I get around. I use paratransit primarily, as well as fixed route transit, my personal motor scooter, the D2A2 and even Indian Trails. My life as I know it wouldn’t exist without public transportation options.

“My life as I know it wouldn’t exist without transit options.”
Transit is important to me because without it I couldn’t even get to my doctors, whether its my cardiologist, primary care physician or others. It supports my mental health by allowing me to live beyond health maintenance. I love going to the cider mill, to the zoo, seeing fireworks at the park and Wicked at the Opera House. Because I was able to take transit later than usual, I was able to attend the zoo’s Nocturnal Adventures Night. I was able to see a different world with animals that aren’t typically out when I am! While specialized transit option allowed me to travel later than usual most fixed bus routes don’t. People are missing out on meeting their needs and living more fulfilling lives because of limited operating hours, that’s why I think it’s very important for transportation to expand its operating hours.
I want every SMART and DDOT executive to have a ride in a wheelchair, on a connector bus for a few miles. Wheelchair rides should be a part of an annual retraining for bus operators and executives to see what it feels like. Riding in a wheelchair on the bus can be so uncomfortable and hazardous I once asked to be let off of the bus before I reached my destination because the ride was too scary and hazardous for me to continue.

Disabled voices are not being represented enough and are lacking in conversations around the essential nature of transit. DDOT and SMART decision makers seem to lack a deep understanding of the communities the bus systems service. They must improve their education and communication with its riders.
“Public transportation is just as beneficial to non-riders and it is to riders.”
If I had the ear of the head of DDOT or SMART I would tell them to work together better. Pay your drivers appropriate wages for the essential nature of the services they provide and the dangers they put themselves in facing the public on a daily basis. Move around in a wheelchair and see what your riders face. Talk to and collaborate with people who need transit and understand that there are people who don’t want cars and prefer public transit. Think of how many cars a full bus takes off the road. Public transit lowers harmful emissions, benefits wildlife, cyclist, drivers and pedestrians.