United States · Amendment · HAMDT

HAMDT 453 (101st)

An amendment to exempt fixed-route public transit systems in urbanized areas with populations of less than 200,000 from the bill's requirement that new vehicles be accessible to persons with disabilities, including persons who use wheelchairs. The amendment waives requirements that such transit systems make demonstrated good faith efforts to locate accessible used vehicles, and that when vehicles are remanufactured they be modified to make them accessible to those with disabilities. To be eligible for this exemption, a transit authority must develop an alternate plan that meets the transportation needs of persons with disabilities as effectively as if all the vehicles on the system were accessible. This plan may provide for "paratransit" or other services, including a combination of paratransit and service provided by existing accessible vehicles in the system. In preparing the plan, the transit authority must consult with an advisory committee of representatives of persons with disabilities, and there must be no substantial opposition to the plan by persons with disabilities in the area to be served.