Speaking Truth about Cap Metro

Howdy Comrades!

I agree with the sentiments expressed in Glenn Gavin's response to Pat's message about unacceptable practices at Cap Metro.  Austin once had a national reputation as having a model paratransit service.  In the past five years, however, Cap Metro senior staff began to implement a strategy to minimize costs, in a fatuous an ineffective manner.  I believe he is correct that behind this is a desire to create a train system for Austin and Central Texas no matter how much the cost to taxpayers and users of fixed route buses and paratransit.  We have tried to work within the system and have been misled by Metro staff.  The culture at Cap Metro is one exhibiting a collective factitious disorder.  In desperation, some blind STS users went to court to stop the encroachment to paratransit service.  We have slowed down the worst changes but some of our new Board members do not seem to get it when it comes to the civil rights of disabled citizens and the needs of transit dependent customers.  It may be time to consider direct action as proposed in the previous post regarding Glenn's message to Pat et al. I hope the complaint to FTA will freeze the action, so to speak, but we need to rebuild the kind of community support we once enjoyed in Austin and from our liberal establishment.

Regards,

Chairman Mal

Power to the Peeps!

PS: On behalf of the Blind Panther Party, I wish everyone a Merry May Day 2010.