I have a mobility impairment and travel with my service dog. She wears a balance harness which allows me to stand and walk with less risk of falling. All previous times I have boarded the Silver Streak I have not had a problem with the driver allowing my service dog on board, nor with obtaining a seat. Yesterday was a different story.
The first Silver Streak bus I tried to pick up at Union Station was completely full, so the driver said there was another bus behind her which the people waiting could take. That was fine of course. I get on the second bus and pay my fare. The driver asks me if I have "a card". Thinking she was talking about a disabled patron card for reduced fare, which I haven't bothered to get, I said no. Turns out she was talking about a "certification card" for my service dog. By ADA law, these are not required. She tells me that next time she will not let my dog on board without one. I respond that I have one and will produce it, but am not required to do so. I also said that I thought it was quite evident she was an actual service dog because of her balance harness. She then asks me if I have any idea of how many people try to bring their chihuahuas on board. I step to the side and look for my card, while mentioning that obviously I can't stand for long periods of time. This bus has no seats left. She tells me "that's just too bad". By ADA law, bus drivers are required to move non-disabled patrons out of priority seating for disabled patrons, but are not required to have people leave the bus or move disabled patrons from priority seating. I stand for about 3 minutes hanging on to both my dog's balance harness and the hand bar, while the bus is moving. Then finally some nice young woman leaves the priority seat she was occupying so I could sit down. I don't know what I would have done if nobody had moved. I did not want to ask anyone since most everyone in front had heard the conversation with the driver and did not move.
The card incident by itself would have been aggravating but fine. It happens to me all the time and I try to educate people but can still manage since I am lucky enough to have a trainer who provided me with an ID card (for incidents like this where people are unaware of ADA laws). The driver's complete disregard for my comfort and safety is unacceptable though. If the young woman who offered her seat had not done so, and I had to stand, I have no doubt that I would have fallen. I was also not inclined to take another bus (nor should I have been forced to) as I had already been traveling for hours at that point and most buses at that time were just as full.
I am filing a complaint with the Foothill Transit company, though they seem to be giving me the run-around. They need to educate their drivers about ADA laws. read more