Disability Perspective on: Transit Effectiveness Program for MUNIBruce Oka and Bob Plantholdbyline‚ Aug. 28‚ 2006Much has been written recently about the much-vaunted study of the MUNI-oriented Transit Effectiveness Program. Thankfully, this shows people's awareness of MUNI's problems--and therefore indicates also expectations of results from this new approach. But, little thought or critical observation has happened with HOW this transit effectiveness study is set up and functioning, possibly even in violation of ordinance and policy. So, let's take two looks at the TEP: 1] from the perspective of transit-dependent constituencies---seniors and the disabled, rather than from the viewpoint of those who are running it or who dominate its discussions; and 2] from compliance and / or conformity with ordinance, public policy, and precedent. The unfortunate conclusion: the disabled are often the first to be ignored and the last to be consulted. |