Author: admin

These were the words spoken by President George W. Bush on July 26, 1990, the day he signed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law. Now, almost 32 years later, we have come very far, but we still have a long way to go before fully accessible public transportation is available to all.

For example, while public transit vehicles must be accessible, often a lack of or poorly maintained sidewalks and bus stops without curb cuts often present significant challenges to riders. These obstacles hinder their navigation of public transport systems, limiting their use to only a fraction of the stops.

As our society continues to innovate, we now have apps we can use to schedule, book, and pay for public transit trips; however, there is often very little incentive or attention given to the importance of accessible app technology, and this has not been made a requirement for users.

The CFR for ADA requirements regarding public transit were last updated in 1991, when there were no apps, and cell phones were just arriving on the scene. Cell phones then looked more like bricks with LCD screens than mini-PCs.

One of the most informative projects that I have had the opportunity to work on at Feonix in the past four years is, without a doubt, the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan, Michigan Ride Paratransit project. Funded by the Michigan Department of Transportation as part of their Mobility Challenge grant program, we deployed an app designed specifically for paratransit riders in the region.

What was unique about the project was the dedicated commitment to the user experience. Thanks to the work of Menlo Innovations, the transit leaders at SMART, Detroit DOT, and TheRide, and numerous passenger and staff interviews, we knew what the desired end result was before our team and technology partners started their work.  

Calibrating efforts spanning three sophisticated public transit agencies, we met almost every other Friday morning for almost 9 months to configure, design, brand, and test technology that would enable the coordination of services and accessible app booking requirements. We looked at variations in mobility aid terminology, trip booking windows, dispatch hours of service, geofencing service areas, and operational logistics.

Then, we went to the customer service agents, dispatchers, and passengers and spent almost another 6 months in training and alpha testing. Every tap, click, and screen were analyzed with a fine-tooth comb. Everyone put in the work. We believed and knew we were not just creating an app; we were paving the road toward equity.

I had no idea when I woke up that day, December 28, 2015, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, that my life would never be the same. It was –13 degrees Fahrenheit that morning—so cold, you could barely feel your face after about 30 seconds outside.

I was working on a USDOT grant for a rural mobility solution, and we were doing the first beta test for the app we were working on. We were collaborating with the local transit agency, and they had several passengers who signed up to test the app.

The public transit agency provided its last rides around 5pm, and our first trip was to take a husband and wife on a date for a night on the town: dinner at Domino’s Pizza and a movie at the local theater.

My car pulled up at around 7pm, and I walked to the front door. I barely got my first knock in before Henry* greeted me with the biggest grin on his face, and their adorable beagle puppy, Skipper, had to come say hello as well.

Henry said, “Give me just a few seconds, I’ll get Cindy* and let her know you’re here. She’s just finishing getting ready.” I was more than obliged to spend a few extra minutes snuggling that adorable puppy. Not 30 seconds later, Cindy and Henry were ready to go!

I asked them if I could get a photo for the project, since this was our first official ride, and they were happy to oblige. And of course, Skipper had to join! Photo taken, we were off on our journey.

One of the most gut-wrenching experiences for a call center agent in the transportation industry, is when a patient calls to schedule a ride to their healthcare appointment—for example, a hip replacement or tubes for their toddler’s ears—and they discover that they can’t afford it.

Some cry, others yell and scream, and worst of all, some go silent—you can literally hear them stop breathing. The pain, sickness, disappointment, and frustration are palpable over the phone.

Each year, over 5.8 million Americans delay or miss vital healthcare appointments because they lack access to transportation. Sometimes the distance is less than a mile, and the cost is less than $3, but it’s too far, too painful to walk, and it’s too expensive.

For example, if you’re living on social security of $662 a month, every penny matters. If you pay for your $40 ride to physical therapy, you can’t afford to pay for your groceries that week—or worse, you can’t make your rent and risk losing your apartment. So you sit there in excruciating pain another month, hoping that you’ll be able to afford the ride the following month.

I remember talking to a Purple Heart veteran who had to choose between a taxi ride to pick up his prescription pain medication and paying his electric bill.

Across the United States, Feonix has worked with numerous transportation pilots to focus on breaking down barriers to access to care. From Beeville, Texas, to Lexington, Mississippi, to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and beyond, we partner with insurance companies, major advocacy associations, automotive manufacturers, transit agencies, hospitals, substance abuse treatment centers, federally qualified health centers, mental health facilities, and more to tackle this critical challenge.

When I was 14 years old, I first discovered the health equity barriers in our society and the role transportation plays in creating them.  But it wasn’t until almost 20 years later that I realized it was going to be my life’s calling to help address these challenges.

When a classmate’s mom’s car broke down one day, she lost her job because there were no public transit options that could get her to work.  As jobs were few and far between, my friend and her mom had to move back in with her mom’s abusive boyfriend, which led to lifelong emotional and physical scars.  Such stories play out thousands of times a day across our country in both urban and rural communities alike.  

Growing up in a small rural community plagued with unemployment, food insecurity, drug addiction, and crime, I experienced firsthand the challenges caused by a lack of mobility and the painful realities of transport poverty.  

Over 400 counties in the United States are currently experiencing persistent poverty, which is impacting millions of Americans.   And if you live or work inside these communities, you are likely aware of the significant transportation challenges that residents face.