Ramps for Buses!

Memphis needs to ensure that ramps on the buses are working.

By Allison Donald, Disability CONNECTION Midsouth The accessibility of transportation for people with disabilities in any city can have profound impacts on its residents.  Limiting access to essential services, employment opportunities, education, social interactions and healthcare. Unfortunately, for Memphians living with disabilities lack of transportation  is our reality.  

While the Memphis Area Transit Authority provides various types of bus services across the city, the system has proven to be inadequate for many residents.  One of the primary barriers of a viable and accessible transportation system  in Memphis are the inoperable ramps on the fixed route buses.

According to a study conducted in 2019 by the US Department of Transportation, 25.5 million Americans have self reported travel limiting disabilities.  Of this 3.6 million Americans do not leave their homes due to their disabilities.  Inadequate enforcement of required accessibility has left millions of people with no rides or having to rely on family and friends to travel in their communities.  The lack of affordable and accessible transportation contributes to social exclusion, isolation and poor health outcomes.

Ramps on public transportation enhance accessibility for individuals with limited mobility. Ramps allow wheelchair users, individuals with mobility impairments, parents with strollers, and seniors with walking aids to board and disembark public transportation vehicles with ease.  This increased accessibility promotes equal opportunities for all individuals, irrespective of their physical limitations.

"[The bus] having a ramp allows me to get on and off the bus at my own leisure,” said Brandon, who started using public transit in 2003.  "I don't have to use MATAplus which takes forever." 

The use of ramps has emerged as a vital component of public transportation, enhancing accessibility and inclusivity for all users.  MATA has tried to fill the gaps with the Paratransit system MATAplus.  However, it often misses the mark, because of the capacity constraints opposed upon riders, the service delivery, and the condition of the vehicles themselves.  As an advocate and a person living with a disability we are tired of being segregated!  We should be able to use the entire system and the only way that happens is all off the ramps are working.

  It is time for Memphis to get on board.